Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a quick one on the recoveries. I noticed ’13-14 for other public agencies is roughly triple of the previous year. Is that associated with the taking on of Stanton, or is there another explanation for that?

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member nailed it. That’s Stanton.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Committee, we are on page 7-26, Public Works and Services, information item, Technology Service Centre (chargeback). Any questions?

Page 7-27, Public Works and Services, information item, Technology Service Centre (chargeback). Any questions?

Page 7-28, Public Works and Services, information item, Public Stores Revolving Fund. Any questions?

Thank you. Page 7-30, Public Works and Services, information item, Petroleum Products Revolving Fund. Any questions?

Page 7-31, Public Works and Services, information item, Petroleum

Products Revolving Fund, active positions. Any questions?

Page 7-32, Public Works and Services, information item, work performed on behalf of others. Any questions?

Being none, 7-33, Public Works and Services, information item, work performed on behalf of others. Any questions?

Committee, if I can get you to return to department summary, 7-7. Public Works and Services, department summary, operations expenditure summary, $104.505 million. Does committee agree?

Does committee agree that consideration of the Department of Public Works and Services is completed?

Thank you, committee. I’d like to thank Minister Abernethy, Ms. Gault and Mr. Guy. Thank you for joining us tonight. If I can get the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort the witnesses out of the Chamber. Thank you.

Members, if I can get you to turn your attention to Education. We’re going to ask Minister Lafferty if he has any opening comments.

I am pleased to present the 2013-14 Main Estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

The department’s operations expense summary proposes an overall ECE budget of $299.611 million, an increase of 3.6 percent over the 2012-13 Main Estimates. Of this amount, about $213 million will be paid out in contributions for the delivery of a range of programs. This includes over $183 million to support the operation of our NWT school and college education systems and another $15.5 million to account for the amortization of department facilities and other assets.

Education and Culture

I would like to now highlight some of the important programs and key initiatives that will be supported by the department's 2013-14 Main Estimates.

Culture and Heritage

Arts and culture not only provide Northerners with a foundation for learning and growth, but cultural and heritage-related activities diversify our economy and add to our GDP. In 2013-14, we plan to spend close to $7 million on culture and heritage programs and services.

Under the Arts Strategy, ECE and Industry, Tourism and Investment are working with the NWT Professional Media Association to strengthen ties between the film and media industry and government agencies.

The department has negotiated a new four-year agreement for the care and storage of the Government of Nunavut museum and archive collection that provides just over $1 million in annual revenue to our government. The funding will compensate the GNWT for the costs associated with housing the Nunavut collection. This arrangement is intended to be temporary to allow Nunavut to build the needed infrastructure to ensure the collection, which is a Canadian treasure, is safely stored.

Official Languages

To speak one’s own language provides a sense of identity and belonging. Language activities assist communities to promote and revitalize their culture and language and, in so doing, these language activities contribute to community economic and social well-being.

In 2013-14, the department plans to spend over $15 million to support Aboriginal language programs and services. Approximately $13 million of this amount will be paid out in contributions to support Aboriginal language and cultural programs offered in early childhood centres, in schools, at Aurora College and in communities across the NWT. The 2013-14 Main Estimates also include close to $2.7 million for French language programs and services managed under the Francophone Affairs Secretariat.

The department will continue to lead the implementation of the GNWT Strategic Plan on French Language Communications and Services working with all GNWT departments and agencies.

For Aboriginal languages, work is underway to enhance organizational support for languages and revitalization activities, and ensure that Aboriginal Languages Plan implementation continues. In 2013-14, the department plans to add three new regional Aboriginal language coordinator positions to be located in Fort McPherson, Fort Providence and Deline.

Early Childhood

Early childhood development programs promote healthy child growth and readiness to learn, reducing the burden on the health, education and justice systems over time. Early childhood programs also help parents become or stay employed, thus increasing economic opportunities for many northern families.

In 2013-14, the department plans to spend $7.7 million on early childhood development programs,

about $1.4 million more than budgeted in the 2012-13 Main Estimates.

Work by ECE and Health and Social Services on the renewal of the Early Childhood Development Framework will result in completion of a renewed framework in the spring of 2013. The renewed framework will build on public input and will include new research and best practices, to ensure that all our investment decisions are evidence-based.

The two departments are also continuing work on a number of early childhood initiatives, including expansion of the Healthy Families program, early childhood promotion and development of community wellness plans. Other activities also underway include an early childhood development public awareness campaign, distribution of age appropriate baby bags and child and family resources centre pilots.

The two child and family resources centre pilot sites in Tulita and Ndilo are focusing on capacity building as well as the provision of parenting sessions and resources, training and making connections with community members to promote greater awareness of early childhood development and the development of community support systems.

ECE is also completing the actions outlined in the Child Daycare Inspection and Licensing Process Action Plan to monitor compliance with the Northwest Territories Child Daycare Act and Regulations. The 2013-14 Main Estimates include a new child daycare inspection coordinator position to ensure inspections are conducted in an efficient and timely manner.

K-12 Education and Libraries

Ensuring the success of all students in the NWT kindergarten to Grade 12 education system is key to building a strong, sustainable future for our territory. In 2013-14, this government will spend over $166 million on school and library programs. Most of this amount will go to education authorities for the delivery of K-12 education.

To improve student performance, the department has initiated a broad-based review of the NWT education system toward developing a comprehensive territory-wide action plan as recommended by the Auditor General of Canada.

The department will continue to work with our partners to build on the four pillars of the Aboriginal Student Achievement plan. Future actions will include research on best practices and recommendations on how to make better use of existing educational resources.

Elders are the keepers of traditions, languages and stories and offer an invaluable contribution to education in NWT schools. I am very happy to announce that beginning this upcoming 2013-14 school year, we will be launching a NWT Elders in

Schools Program to ensure that elder involvement in NWT schools is increased and strengthened. The department will develop an Elders in Schools Handbook modeled on the Nunavut program. This work will be done in consultation with the education authorities for completion by June 2013.

The department is working with education authorities to improve the delivery of student supports provided under the Inclusive Schooling program. ECE staff have provided training to five regions within the last year on the development and implementation of individual education plans and student support plans. ECE is also developing a new data collection system that will provide detailed information on the programming received and required for students in the NWT. It will be operational in the fall of 2013. This work, along with the review of Inclusive Schooling taking place as part of the education renewal initiative, will help us build a more effective evidence-based program.

In 2013-14, in response to concerns heard from Members, the department will implement, and provide supports for, a territorial Safe Schools Plan along with anti-bullying legislation.

Advanced Education

Post-secondary, training and employment programs help NWT adults acquire the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to access current and future economic opportunities, and to contribute to building a strong future for our territory. In 2013-14, the department plans to spend close to $49 million on advanced education and employment programs.

Through regional training partnerships, ECE continues to work closely with Aboriginal and community governments, as well as with Aurora College and other partners under the NWT Labour Force Development Framework to ensure Northerners have the education, training and skills to positively contribute to their communities and the wider society. In 2013, the department will renegotiate our Canada/NWT Labour Force Development Agreement.

In 2013-14, the department will action recommendations from the Adult Literacy and Basic Education review, and work with Aurora College to deliver new initiatives under the federal Northern Adult and Basic Education Strategy. The Adult Recognition Model process will be revised based on feedback from the pilot program.

As committed in its response to the Office of the Auditor General's Review of Education in the NWT, the department will introduce an Accountability Framework for the Education and Training of Adults in the NWT, including performance measures for ongoing monitoring and tracking of results in the fall of 2013. The framework will allow for better evaluation, planning, decision-making and public

reporting on adult post-secondary and training programs.

ECE will work with other departments to respond to increased oil and gas exploration and anticipated development in the Sahtu and Beaufort-Delta. Two new positions are planned for the Sahtu to help prepare for, and support residents to take advantage of, new opportunities.

In 2012-13, the department worked with Public Works and Services, PWS, and Aurora College to begin moving students attending education programs in Inuvik and their families from older college housing units into leased accommodation. The family housing units were beyond economic repair and there were growing concerns about the condition of the units. The relocation process is underway and will be completed before the start of the next academic year. Savings realized by PWS from closing the existing units will be used to fund $469,000 of the $898,000 increase to the department's 2013-14 Main Estimates.

Income Security

Income security programs exist to assist people to meet their basic needs and achieve greater self-reliance at a time when they are most vulnerable. In 2013-14, the department plans to spend close to $42 million on income security programs, which provide a range of supports to NWT residents in need of assistance.

In 2013-14, the department will continue to promote client participation in productive choices by linking income assistance clients with career counseling and other support services they may require. The department is also participating in developing the GNWT Anti-Poverty Strategy, and will be implementing an action plan in response to the recommendations from the Student Financial Assistance Program review.

On September 1, 2012, the Child Care User Subsidy Program was rolled into the Income Assistance Program to reduce red tape, and rates were increased to provide greater benefits for low-income parents in need of child care. In the first four months of new delivery under income assistance, the number of families accessing Child Care User Subsidy benefits monthly rose substantially. Beginning in spring 2013, the department will be implementing a new income assistance benefit to pay pardon fees, which may enable clients with a historical criminal record greater access to the workforce.

I have clearly heard Members’ concerns that students struggle to make ends meet and I am pleased to advise that the 2013-14 Main Estimates include over $1.1 million to fund increased student benefits. Starting in 2013, our post-secondary students will receive an extra $150 per month living allowance. In addition, the annual allowance for

disabled students will increase from $8,000 to $10,000. Other actions based on the review of the Student Financial Assistance program are also planned, including the provision of tuition and book assistance to incarcerated individuals, as well as incentives for students in a veterinary medicine program.

The 2013-14 Main Estimates also include $768,000 to fund benefits for more NWT post-secondary students as the number of students accessing student financial assistance has increased in line with the rising number of Grade 12 graduates, a 12 percent increase from 2005 to 2011.

In Summary

The department’s job is to support residents in reaching their education, training and employment goals, and in making positive choices for themselves and their family. In this way, residents are encouraged to be as self-reliant as possible and to develop a strong identity based on their culture and heritage. Determining the levels of support that help Northerners meet their needs is a challenge that requires constant review. Based on this Assembly’s vision and goals, we believe we are making the best investments, for the most people, within our fiscal reality.

I would be pleased to answer any questions that Members may have at this time. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Lafferty. Do you have witnesses you would like to bring into the House?