Thank you, Madam Chair. The 2005-2006 Main Estimates we bring forward today for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment total over $245 million. Priorities include addressing additional requirements for kindergarten to Grade 12 student assessment, new and expanded high school curriculum, enhanced support to the arts, and building capacity to support resource development activities across the NWT.
The main estimates also include ongoing funding for language nests and Aurora College's Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Program. Funding for these activities were initially approved during the 2004-05 fiscal year. In other areas, it responds to the government's need to reduce spending. Most significantly, the improved economic status of many northerners has allowed the government to decrease the budgeted requirements for income security.
The net effect of these changes is a one percent decrease in the department's main estimates over what was budgeted last year. I would like to highlight a few key activities of the department.
First, within the education and culture activity of the department, we propose to spend $136.1 million on programs and services to residents of the NWT. Spending in this area includes monies for early childhood development programs, schools, as well as cultural and heritage programs.
For 2005-06, we plan to spend $4.8 million on early childhood development activities. These activities will add to the early learning provided at home to help provide children with a healthy start in life and give them the learning tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.
As Members are aware, in 2004-05 the department received supplementary funding for language nests. The 2005-2006 Main Estimates include $727,000 to continue this initiative.
On October 5, 2004, the Government of Canada committed to develop a national system of regulated early learning and childcare programs. Canada has suggested that programming should be based on principles of
quality, universality, accessibility and development. The federal government's plan supports the department's current direction and activities in the early childhood development sector. By linking the use of available federal funding and GNWT monies, we can build a stronger system of early childhood programs.
Over the past decade, we have made steady progress in strengthening the school system. Increased access to high school programs in NWT communities has resulted in more aboriginal graduates from smaller communities. We know the link between educational achievement and employment is very high. We must ensure student success continues to improve.
For the 2005-06 fiscal year, the department is budgeting nearly $125 million to support our schools. Most of this money will go directly to education authorities at the regional and community level.
- • The main estimates for the new fiscal year include an additional $742,000 to assist educators in monitoring and assessing student achievement. This will cover the costs of implementing the Alberta achievement tests at grades 3, 6 and 9, as well as the costs for the use of Grade 12 exams.
- • As well, $480,000 will be spent to develop new high school courses to prepare students for trades and other skilled occupations. These courses will be in addition to the existing courses that prepare students for post-secondary opportunities. The introduction of new high school English language arts and science curricula, under the western and northern Canada protocol, is also budgeted for in 2005-06.
The introduction of the aboriginal language and cultural-based education directive in September 2004 reaffirmed our commitment to the languages and cultures of aboriginal people in the NWT. The directive promotes the integration of language and culture throughout K to 12 programs as a basis for culturally appropriate learning and provides direction to education authorities with respect to the $6.7 million contributed annually to support aboriginal language and culture programs.
This government is also committed to supporting students who choose to be educated in the French language.
- • During 2005-06 the department plans to spend $1.8 million on French first language education.
- • The $242,000 received in supplementary funding during 2004-05 for the administration of the Commission Scolaire Francophone de Division has been added to this budget.
- • Canadian Heritage is also expected to continue its support for French language instruction in NWT schools with an $868,000 contribution.
During 2005-06 we will continue to follow up on recommendations made in the last Assembly regarding official languages. We have made considerable progress during the past year with the establishment of the language boards, adjustments to school funding and increased coordination of efforts. We will continue this process with the establishment of an official languages division reporting to the deputy minister. This division will become a single point of contact and strengthen the government's activities associated with official languages.
We propose to spend $2.2 million on official languages activities in fiscal year 2005-06. Most of this funding will be used to support the plans and activities of the official languages communities. As well, we are currently working with the language communities to prepare for a negotiation with the Government of Canada to renew the Cooperation Agreement on French and Aboriginal Languages. The current agreement is expiring at the end of March and we have contacted Canada with the intention of initiating negotiations in the immediate future.
A strong and vibrant arts sector is integral to the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of the residents of the NWT. During the current fiscal year, Education, Culture and Employment, through the NWT Arts Council, provided funds for 62 projects to enhance the arts across the NWT. Another 14 projects were funded under the Performing Arts Contribution Program. In 2005-06, the department plans to increase funding to this important sector by $75,000. This amount will be added to the $50,000 reallocated to the arts in 2004-05, bringing the total increase to the Arts Council annual budget to $265,000 over the last three years.
As land activity associated with the Mackenzie Valley pipeline and other resource development escalates, it is critical that we act to protect and preserve heritage sites and resources in the NWT. The 2005-06 Main Estimates includes $200,000 for the additional staff and resources required to meet our obligations for heritage resource management under the Historical Resources Act.
Within the advanced education and careers activity, the department proposes to spend $41 million. Programs and services in this area provide northerners with access to career development, skills training and post-secondary education needed to successfully participate in our expanding economy.
The GNWT, the Government of Canada, aboriginal governments, Aurora College and industry are working together to help northerners access the training required to qualify for careers in our growing economy. Last year, a major collaborative effort was announced. The four-year Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership, or ASEP, projects in support of the oil and gas sector and the mining sector will train nearly 800 northerners for jobs in these two important sectors. The federal government contributed nearly $24.8 million to these efforts while the GNWT, aboriginal governments and industry pledged $28.4 million of in-kind contributions and support from existing budgets.
To support this initiative, the department proposes to fund $3.8 million from its existing program to support ASEP projects. As well, it will fund an ASEP coordinator position in 2005-06 to work closely with its partners to plan and deliver critical training under the ASEP projects.
The rapid expansion of resource development in the NWT has increased the demand for certified tradespersons. While the number of NWT apprentices has increased by nearly 20 percent over the past four years, we still need more trained northern tradespersons. With this goal in mind, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will spend $480,000 more of its training budget on apprenticeship activities in the 2005-06 year.
The 2005-2006 Main Estimates proposes to consolidate labour functions currently located in the Department of Justice with the employment functions located in Education, Culture and Employment. This will increase the coordination of labour and employment activities to provide better support to northern workers. Funding for labour functions have been restated within the department budget and operational responsibility will be transferred on April 1st.
During the next year, we plan to support our northern college system with an expenditure of $26.4 million. This year's main estimates include an ongoing $662,000 investment to implement a bachelor's degree program for nurses. This will help to ensure that we continue to increase the supply of northern trained nurses to serve in our communities. A further $110,000 is being added to the college's budget to support the Aurora Research Institute's responsibilities for the licensing of research activities. Overall research related to the proposed Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline project has increased demands on the licensing processes.
Madam Chair, within the new income security activity, the department proposes to spend $61.4 million during fiscal year 2005-06. Spending in this area includes monies for the Student Financial Assistant Program, Income Support and public housing subsidy programs.
In our government's strategic plan, we stated that improving our income security system is critical. With limited resources, we need to makes sure those in the greatest need receive support and we must work to support the self-reliance of all northerners.
In 2005-06, we will introduce a consistent policy framework for the GNWT's income security programs and work closely with the NWT Housing Corporation to consolidate the $31 million currently expended for public housing subsidies within the department's budget. This action is the beginning of a process that can be expected to take a few years but should result in a simplified system that is easier to understand and is targeted to support those in greatest need.
As part of the overall GNWT efforts to restrain spending, the department plans to make some changes to current programs. Changes include the reduction of the programs to pay special additional post-secondary remissible loans to students in health and social work programs. This change will reduce costs by about $334,000 annually in the long term and will only be applied to remissible loans received beginning in the 2005-06 fiscal year. It is important to note students in these programs will continue to receive all other benefits of the Student Financial Assistance Program.
Other income support reductions shown in this budget reflect lower expenditure requirements resulting from the buoyant NWT economy. The current level of support provided to clients will not be reduced.
Finally, the departmental business plan is supported by a request for continued investment in suitable education facilities over the plan period. With more than 65 educational facilities across the NWT, a number of which are nearing the end of their operational life, it is not surprising that we will need to make significant investments in educational facilities, even in this period of fiscal restraint.
Madam Chair, we are proposing to spend $80 million over the next three years on capital infrastructure. Most of this is for schools in Tulita, Inuvik, Fort Good Hope, Gameti, Yellowknife and Ndilo. These projects will address some of the most pressing needs and are part of a long-term plan to modernize our educational facilities. Thank you. That concludes my opening comments.