This is page numbers 261 - 296 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th 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.

corporate Services
Standing Committee On Governance And Economic Development Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 290

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

corporate Services
Standing Committee On Governance And Economic Development Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 290

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Does the committee agree that we have concluded consideration of the Department of Transportation estimates?

corporate Services
Standing Committee On Governance And Economic Development Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 290

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

corporate Services
Standing Committee On Governance And Economic Development Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 290

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

I would like to thank the Minister and his witnesses for appearing.

We have a number of issues in Committee of the Whole. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Dent.

corporate Services
Standing Committee On Governance And Economic Development Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 290

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Mr. Chairman, I would like to recommend that we continue on with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, at least to get through opening comments.

corporate Services
Standing Committee On Governance And Economic Development Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 290

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

We will go onto Education, Culture and Employment. Does the Minister have any opening comments? Mr. Ootes.

Department Of Education, Culture And Employment

minister's Opening Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 290

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman and committee members, I am pleased to present the 2003-2004 main estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Our 2003-2004 budget of approximately $210 million supports the five strategic goals of our mandate:

  • • living northern cultures and official languages of the NWT;
  • • solid beginnings for infants and young children;
  • • children and youth with a healthy learning environment;
  • • life-long learning opportunities; and,
  • • maximizing participation in the northern economy.

The 2003-2004 main estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment represents a $14 million increase over last year.

Before I proceed, I would like to acknowledge the work of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, and thank Members for their guidance and support during the development of our 2003-2006 business plan and our 2003-2004 main estimates.

Mr. Chairman, people are the NWT's most valuable resource. By investing in our people, we build a culturally rich and prosperous territory.

We are entering a time of unprecedented economic change and must continue investing to keep our people educated, prepared, healthy and ready to take their place in the North's future. With this in mind, we've developed our 2003-2004 budget. I would like to now address the department's budget specifically.

Early in its mandate this government saw the need to invest in its youngest citizens. You will see in the 2003-2004 budget an increase of $230,000 for programs funded through the early childhood development plan.

The department will add $4.7 million to the schools budget. This increase will allow the Department to complete its plan to:

  • • reduce the pupil-teacher ratio to 16:1;
  • • fund student supports at 15 percent of school funding; and,
  • • cover higher school enrolments.

For the upcoming school year, the department will contribute $108 million to operate our school programs, a clear recognition of the importance of supporting students so they can succeed.

As well as succeeding academically, we know it is important for our students to have northern role models. We need to be able to attract our young people into the teaching profession. They, in turn, can then take their knowledge and skills back to their communities. This is key to stabilizing our teacher workforce, and to ensuring culturally appropriate education for all grades.

We have talked about the importance of a low pupil-teacher ratio. The department will complete its plan to reduce the PTR next year, and to fund student supports at 15 percent of overall school investments. The $2.8 million investment in this budget to lower the pupil-teacher ratio and raise student support services will offer assistance where it's needed the most, in the classroom.

School improvement is a priority of the department. In the current year, eight schools have improvement initiatives underway. Our objective for next year is to expand this and include rural communities. Our plan is to continue our focus on overall school improvement until every school in the NWT is a participant. We are also excited that next year we will expand the range of senior high school courses available. Our goal is to offer every student in the NWT with a pathway that meets his or her interests, needs and career aspirations.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment deals with many board structures. We deal regularly with agencies that deliver our programs, such as boards and education authorities, as well as with other clients, such as child care societies, that operate independently of the department. We are committed to increasing capacity through training to these organizations.

Take for example our child care boards. All of the department's regional early childhood consultants are now offering workshops on board development. The department is nearing completion of a specific volunteer board development package that will be distributed to all licensed early childhood programs.

Training to support program delivery is also a stepping-stone to accountability. The department interacts regularly with its boards, their staff and teachers to ensure we have a common understanding of program design and delivery.

Our accountability does not stop with our schools, but continues throughout our learning network. Training is provided on a regular basis to the people delivering programs such as income support.

As part of the social agenda, we have committed to work with partner departments to examine service gaps and to coordinate our programs. We have established an annual process for examining income support levels for food and personal care items, and we remain committed to monitoring this regularly.

I am pleased to report that more people are working and fewer people need income support. Due primarily to increased employment, we have been able to reinvest $1.6 million into education while ensuring that benefits are maintained for those in need. In addition, I hope by next session to distribute a plain language guide to our income support programs. This guide, much like the one offered in student financial assistance, will provide clear and concise information about the programs we offer.

Much of what the Department of Education, Culture and Employment does is tailored to meet Northerners' needs across their lifespan. Lifelong learning is a goal aimed at ensuring residents gain the skills and knowledge to participate in the workforce. Our emphasis on transferable learning that meets industry needs will pay off in NWT readiness for industrial development. Sixty percent of all NWT journeymen achieve Red Seal status. This is 22 percent higher than it was two years ago. Their qualifications are recognized throughout Canada.

In most cases, training to prepare for large projects is developed and delivered in partnership with industry. For example, we have established an Oil and Gas Territorial Training Committee based on the model of the Mine Training Committee. Again, although Education, Culture and Employment is leading this, success will require many partners. This committee includes representatives of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), non-profit groups and the Aboriginal Summit. Through this partnership, we must continue to seek federal investment and a coordinated approach to implementation.

Under maximizing northern employment, there are opportunities for graduate interns to work for the public and private sector. In response to the social agenda, ECE will be extending the graduate internship program to the Aurora Research Institute. This initiative adds $150,000 to the 2003-2004 main estimates.

The Student Financial Assistance Program also supports transitions through life-long learning and career development. We have approximately 1,300 students using our programs. In 2003-2004, the department will add $474,000 to this program to help attract students to the nursing and social work professions. Another $133,000 is being added to the budget to pay for rising travel and tuition costs.

In 2003-2004 the department's budget will see an increase of $1.4 million for amortization. In addition, approximately $5.2 million will be transferred from capital allocations to fund infrastructure projects such as:

  • • upgrading community library facilities;
  • • upgrading community museums and cultural facilities; and,
  • • renovating Mildred Hall School.

The department is proud of its employees who dedicate themselves to education and to supporting our people across the North. This budget includes $3.7 million to fund existing collective agreements with our employees working for our eight education authorities, the college and our department.

In summary, over $14 million will be added to the commitment of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for the people of the NWT.

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

minister's Opening Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 292

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. The Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, any opening comments? Mr. Bell.

Standing Committee On Social Programs Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 292

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs met on January 14, 2003 to consider the 2003-2004 draft main estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Members note increases of $150,000 to fund two positions with the Aurora Research Institute as part of the Social Agenda Action Plan and $474,000 relating to the recruitment and retention remittance program for healthcare professionals as part of the Student Financial Assistance Program. Finally, committee notes that $5.197 million was transferred from the capital allocation to fund infrastructure contributions. This is an accounting requirement and is not new funding. The infrastructure contributions are: $4.955 million to Yellowknife School District No. 1 for renovations to Mildred Hall School, $100,000 for local museum improvements and $142,000 for improvements to community libraries.

Capital Allocation Concerns And Student Housing On Fort Smith Campus

The Standing Committee on Social Programs is very concerned with the capital allocation process. Members of the committee could not reconcile replacing and renovating student housing for the Fort Smith Campus of Aurora College, taking into account the equal or greater need for student housing on the Inuvik and Yellowknife campuses.

During the review of the business plan the department provided committee with information showing that more student housing units were occupied by residents of Fort Smith than from any other community. Conversely, there were no residents of Yellowknife or Inuvik occupying student housing in their respective communities.

The department did state that Fort Smith residents were only allowed to rent student housing on a semester-by-semester basis after students from outside of Fort Smith had their housing needs addressed. The department justified this because otherwise the units would be empty. By placing Fort Smith residents in these "surplus" units the college would maintain its revenue stream. The committee has been unable to determine, from the scant information provided by the department thus far, whether Aurora College is a de facto landlord for residents of Fort Smith.

If the units are empty and rented to students from Fort Smith on a regular and ongoing basis, the question then becomes whether or not they are needed.

Members of the standing committee were also made aware of the serious underutilization of Breynat Hall. This called into question the need to renovate singles housing in the Brown and Green apartments.

Unless the department can provide proper and thorough justification of the need to replace or renovate student housing in Fort Smith, the standing committee is inclined to support the building of student housing in Inuvik to take advantage of the economies of scale associated with the construction of the new campus.

This concern was passed onto the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight and was subsequently conveyed to the Minister of Finance. The Minister's response indicates the department plans to proceed with the $3.1 million renovations to the Brown and Green apartments, but will

review the options for the replacement of the other student housing in Fort Smith.

The response to the practice of renting housing to residents of Fort Smith indicates the department did not understand the committee's concerns over the appropriateness of such a practice.

NWT Arts Strategy

The Standing Committee on Social Programs was very pleased to see the level of support available in grants to NWT artisans and performers was roughly doubled to $71,000 from last year's $36,000. This is a good first step in showing our commitment to the arts and performing community.

Members of the committee look forward to having the opportunity to comment on the recommendations of the NWT Arts Advisory Panel prior to the government finalizing an NWT Arts Strategy.

Regional Reorganization

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has changed regional manager positions in the Deh Cho and Sahtu to regional superintendent positions at a cost of $160,000 for salary increases and the hiring of administrative support staff.

The department has justified this change by pointing out this aligns the department's administrative structure with regional land claims.

In addition, the department pointed out the Departments of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Municipal and Community Affairs, Financial Management Board Secretariat, Transportation, Health and Social Services and the Housing Corporation have either senior managers or board structures in place in one or both of the regions.

The standing committee is not opposed to regional reorganization but is concerned with the apparently ad hoc approach and the lack of co-ordination, planning and direction provided by Cabinet to the departments.

It is obvious that regional reorganization, whether official or ad hoc, has cost implications to this government. If the purpose is to align the administrative structures of the departments with land claim agreements, the associated costs must be part of self-government negotiations with the federal government and should not be absorbed by the GNWT.

This concern was passed on to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight and was subsequently relayed to the Minister of Finance for a response.

The Minister's response indicates the government will be undertaking an analysis of incremental operating costs and entering into negotiation with the federal government for funding.

The committee hopes the government's optimism on negotiating federal funding is warranted.

Bachelor Of Education Degree Program

The members of the standing committee are pleased to note the progress being made on delivering a four-year bachelor of education degree in the Northwest Territories. Barring any further complications, Aurora College will be delivering the fourth and final year of a bachelor of education degree at the Fort Smith Campus starting in September of 2004.

In the short term the native studies major for the bachelor of education program is appropriate, however Members note having only one available major will reduce the candidate pool once the initial need is addressed.

In the long term it will be necessary to develop two or three majors for students in the bachelor of education degree program to ensure the ongoing sustainability of such a program.

Gap In Services 16- To 18-Year-Olds

Members of the standing committee remain concerned with the gap in services experienced by 16- to 18-year-olds who are no longer domiciled with their parents or guardians.

On the face of it, it appears to committee members the departments in the social envelope, particularly the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Department of Health and Social Services, are making a concentrated effort to address this issue through legislation and improved access to services.

Nonetheless individual Members of the Legislative Assembly are contacted on a regular basis by 16- to 18-year-olds who are having problems accessing the services they need to address their basic needs. Many of these problems relate to a lack of understanding of present government policy by front-line workers in the income support and health and social services fields and are compounded by the clients not knowing which agency to access for services.

It is clear that in addition to booklets, outlining how 16 to 18-year-olds can access services, there is a need to ensure that income support and health and social services workers are properly trained in how to help these young people.

Income Support Food Basket

The Standing Committee on Social Programs would like to thank the Minister and his department for their annual review and adjustments of the food basket prices in each community in the NWT, during the life of this Assembly. It should be noted that this is not something the department is legislated to do on an annual basis and the Minister is to be commended.

The committee looks forward to being informed of the results of the department's next survey on income support food baskets.

Teacher Turnover

Members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs are very concerned with the rate of teacher turnover in our smaller communities. The lack of affordable, suitable rental accommodation is one of the prime contributors to this crisis.

The committee is well aware of the government's policy of not getting back into employee housing. Members would, however, point out to the Minister that without educators who are committed to their communities for the long term, the quality of education we can offer our children will be forever suspect. Children need some continuity in their education and

in some communities the lack of affordable housing means a new teacher every year.

Committee members look forward to being informed of the results of the deputy minister's recommendations on housing for professionals. The committee notes previous attempts to provide housing to professionals through aboriginal development corporations have been less than successful due to the high rent that must be charged to ensure a rate of return on the investment. Relying on the private sector to address the rental needs of professionals in our smaller communities may not be realistic.

The standing committee is aware that Yellowknife District No. 1 owns an apartment building they rent to their employees at market rent. It may be necessary to change legislation to allow other school boards to acquire or build housing for their employees in some communities. It could be argued that because education boards are arm's-length from the government this would not be tantamount to the GNWT getting back into employee housing.

Online Learning Opportunities

The Standing Committee on Social Programs has been supportive of the department's efforts to expand on-line learning opportunities to the communities. The more choices that students have in the courses they can take; the better choices they can make about their futures.

Members are concerned about uptake in our smaller communities and the department has promised to provide the committee with further information.

Oil And Gas Training

The Standing Committee on Social Programs acknowledges the work the department and industry have done to date in delivering oil and gas training to the residents of the Mackenzie Valley given the limited scope and resources that have been available thus far.

However, the members of the standing committee note the majority of training provided was focused on ensuring entry-level industry safety standards were met. It is time for oil and gas training in the Northwest Territories to go to the next level.

The proposal by the Oil and Gas Territorial Training Committee to the federal government appears to accomplish this. The long-term job opportunities and required training associated with the construction and operation of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline are identified along with the required funding to maximize northern participation in such a pipeline.

The committee supports the department in its efforts to access federal funding for further advanced oil and gas training for our residents.

Minor Capital Funding For Education Boards

Members of the standing committee have heard complaints from some education board members about the inadequacies of the current minor capital funding formula. In the case of the Yellowknife school districts, Members have been told it has not been adjusted in over 10 years.

Members were also concerned whether there was equity between the school boards that did their own maintenance and those that contracted with the Department of Public Works and Services.

The committee was pleased to hear the subject of minor capital funding would be the subject of negotiation between the department and the affected school boards over the next business planning cycle. The Standing Committee on Social Programs would appreciate being kept apprised of the results of these negotiations. That concludes our report, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Standing Committee On Social Programs Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 294

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Good job reading that report. The Chair will recognize the clock and rise and report progress.

Standing Committee On Social Programs Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 294

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

I will call the House back to order. Item 20, report of Committee of the Whole. Mr. Delorey.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 294

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 3, Appropriation Act, 2003-2004 and committee reports 4-14(6) and 5-14(6) and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 294

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Is there a seconder? Mr. Roland, it looked like. To the motion.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 294

An Hon. Member

Question.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 294

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

To the motion. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 21, third reading of bills. Item 22, Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Page 294

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Speaker, meeting of the Board of Management at adjournment today and at 9:00 tomorrow morning of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, followed by Caucus at 10:30 and then again of the Standing Committee on Oversight and Accountability at 12:00 noon.

Orders of the day for Tuesday, February 25, 2003:

  1. Prayer
  2. Ministers' Statements
  3. Members' Statements
  4. Returns to Oral Questions
  5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
  6. Oral Questions
  7. Written Questions
  8. Returns to Written Questions
  9. Replies to Opening Address
  10. Petitions
  11. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
  12. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
  13. Tabling of Documents
  14. Notices of Motion
  15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills
  16. Motions

- Motion 3-14(6), Extension of Mandate of the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs

  1. First Reading of Bills
  2. Second Reading of Bills
  3. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

- Bill 3, Appropriation Act, 2003-2004

- Bill 6, Electoral Boundaries Commission Act

- Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act

- Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Elections Act

- Committee Report 3-14(6), Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight Report on the Review of the Draft 2003-2004 Main Estimates

- Committee Report 4-14(6), Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development Report on the Review of the Draft 2003-2004 Main Estimates

- Committee Report 5-14(6), Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of the Draft 2004 Main Estimates

- Committee Report 6-14(6), Report on the Review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Commissioner's 2001-2002 Annual Report

  1. Report of Committee of the Whole
  2. Third Reading of Bills
  3. Orders of the Day

Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Page 295

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 25, 2003, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

296