Mahsi, Mr.
Chair. I’m
pleased to present the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Main Estimates for the fiscal year 2008–2009.
This department invests in and provides for the development of the people of the Northwest Territories. Departmental activities flow from goals and objectives outlined in Building on our Success, the department’s strategic plan. These include the preservation and knowledge of our heritage, support and promotion of our official languages, students in our schools achieving their potential, an integrated adult learning network, a skilled workforce and a comprehensive system of financial supports within a responsive income security system.
Mr. Chair, the department is proposing to invest close to $294 million in 2008–2009, which represents an increase of 3 per cent from the 2007–2008 Main Estimates. This spending is in line with the priorities of the caucus of the 16th Legislative Assembly and the strategic direction set by Cabinet.
I would like to highlight some of the key initiatives and activities of the department and describe how these will contribute to our vision for northern people.
We will focus on building on our future through early childhood development investments, trades and technical opportunities in schools and expansion of the Teacher Education Program. We will make improvements to aboriginal and French language services and libraries. We will increase funding to culture and heritage, including new investments in arts. We will maximize opportunities for Northerners through initiatives in literacy and trades. We will also continue to improve supports in communities through the establishment of one-stop income security community service centres and capital investments in educational facilities.
To align our spending on these key initiatives and activities with available resources, the department will make reductions to Aurora College’s base funding, will end the oil and gas contribution program and reduce wage subsidy programs.
Education and Culture
First, within the education and culture activity for 2008–2009, we propose to spend $173 million for early childhood development, K-to-12 education, official languages and culture and heritage programs.
Early Childhood Development
We plan to spend $6.2 million on early childhood development activities. These activities will add to the early learning provided to children at home and help provide children with a good start in life by giving them the learning tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.
In recent years, the department has supported the establishment of 20 Language Nest programs across the Northwest Territories. In 2008–2009 and ongoing we will continue with these investments.
As part of the department’s strategic initiatives 2.5 positions will be added to the current staff complement of 4.5 to ensure that community-level early childhood programs comply with the new operational standards and have access to the technical support they need.
School System
For 2008–2009 the department is budgeting approximately $155 million to support education for children and youth through contributions and other supports to education authorities.
During the current school year we decreased the pupil-teacher ratio from 16 to 15 students for every teacher and increased funding for inclusive schooling from 17 to 19 per cent of school contributions. In 2008–2009 we plan to further reduce the PTR by 0.5 as part of the ongoing commitment to provide students with trades and technical opportunities.
The Aboriginal Languages and Culture-based Education Directive was established in 2003 to promote the integration of language and culture in our schools. In 2008–2009 we will contribute $120,000 to Aurora College to deliver the Aboriginal Language and Culture Instructor Program on a full-time basis so that schools are able to access more qualified staff to implement the directive.
To ensure we have enough teaching staff today and well into the future, the department will provide $300,000 to Aurora College in 2008–2009 to
expand access to the Teacher Education Program in all regions. This initiative will help ensure a qualified teaching workforce that represents the students it serves.
Official Languages
The $5.8 million allocation for official language activities in 2008 and 2009 includes the $3.8 million in federal funding from the recently renewed Canada-NWT Cooperation Agreement for French and aboriginal languages. A large portion of these monies will support activities of the official language communities. In 2008–2009 an implementation plan for delivery of French language services and for aboriginal language services will be developed. We will also pilot a single-window service centre for French and explore ways that we can use this approach for aboriginal languages.
Library Services
The department proposes to spend $1.1 million for the Northwest Territories Public Library System. The allocation will support the basic operations of community libraries and virtual libraries. In addition, $100,000 will be directed towards library capital improvements.
Culture and Heritage
In 2008–2009 we plan to spend $4.1 million on culture and heritage programs at both the territorial and community levels to further build a number of initiatives underway.
Recently the Arts Strategy Action Plan II was released jointly with Industry, Tourism and Investment after consultation with artists and cultural organizations across the Northwest Territories. In 2008–2009 a new investment of $500,000 will enhance support for arts and culture activities at the community level and contribute to pride in culture, community cohesion and our growing cultural economy.
Advanced Education and Careers
Within Advanced Education and Careers the department proposes to spend nearly $43 million. Programs and services in this area provide Northerners with access to career counselling, employment development and post-secondary education needed to successfully participate in our expanding economy.
College Programs
The department plans to spend $34.7 million to provide a number of certificate, diploma, degree and trade programs relevant to the NWT labour market. The $30.4 million contribution budgeted for
the operations of Aurora College includes $620,000 for the college program initiatives mentioned in my opening remarks. This contribution also reflects a $470,000 reduction to the college’s base funding. The college is currently finalizing its 2008–2009 plan to incorporate these planned changes.
Adult Literacy and Basic Education
Low literacy is a significant barrier to postsecondary education and employment development. In 2008–2009 the department will continue to invest $1.9 million for literacy initiatives. This investment includes support to the Aurora College Adult Literacy and Basic Education Program, the NWT Literacy Council and other community literacy partners.
Career and Employment Development
The department plans to spend nearly $9 million for apprenticeship, trades and occupations, and career and employment development programs. This amount includes $4.8 million in federal funding through the Canada-NWT Labour Market Development Agreement to provide employment development for individuals who are eligible for employment insurance.
The decision to end the oil and gas contribution program corresponds with the final year of the aboriginal futures partnership agreement that ended on March 31, 2008. Given our strong economy, approximately $1.3 million for wage subsidies is being taken out of the budget for 2008–2009. The Apprenticeship Training on the Job Program for small businesses will continue, however, to help train up to 200 apprentices every year.
The savings from program reductions will allow funding to be redirected to a number of higher priority trades-related enhancements. Through an annual investment of $200,000 towards the operation of the Aurora College Mobile Trades Training Unit, access to trades will be provided in the Beaufort-Delta region. We will also invest $100,000 in 2008–2009 to enhance supports for women and aboriginal apprentices. Together with the school trades initiative mentioned earlier in my remarks, these investments will help ensure increased enrolment and improved completion rates.
Employment Standards
This government recognizes the importance of establishing and ensuring compliance with employment standards as a means to ensuring a productive work environment. We propose to spend $720,000 on this function. Recently the Labour Standards Act was revised and replaced by the
Employment Standards Act, which came into force on April 1, 2008. In 2008–2009 the department will develop a plan to make employers and employees aware of the new requirements.
Along with these investments we will continue working with other governments and industry to ensure greater access by Northerners to training and employment opportunities.
Income Security
Within the income security activity the department has budgeted nearly $70 million during 2008–2009 for a range of benefit programs, including student financial assistance, income assistance and public housing rental subsidies.
The department recently integrated income security programs under a common policy framework and model. The new model describes a system of supports that will enable income assistance recipients to achieve greater self-reliance. This budget includes an additional $5.9 million to better meet the needs of our clients under this model.
The department is also moving toward the establishment of one-stop community service centres to deliver the range of income security programs.
Infrastructure
The departmental Main Estimates are supported with a request for continued investment in suitable education facilities over the planning period. With more than 65 educational facilities across the NWT, a number of which are nearing the end of their operational life, there is a need for continued investments in educational facilities. The high estimates for capital projects reflect the rising cost of capital construction.
Concluding Comments
The 2008–2009 Main Estimates are presented in the context of limited fiscal resources available to invest in new programs and services. As with other departments, it has been necessary to make difficult decisions. My ministerial colleagues and I have made decisions using the priorities of the 16th Assembly as a guide. We want to ensure that monies are spent to help build a better future for Northerners and maximize opportunities for individuals, families and communities. The departmental budget has been developed to further both the GNWT strategic direction and the department's strategic plan.
That concludes my opening remarks. I would be pleased to answer any questions the committee members may have. Mahsi, Mr. Chairman.