I am pleased to introduce Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Education Act.

The purpose of this legislation is to bring education superintendents, other than Yellowknife Education District No. 1 and Yellowknife Catholic Schools, into the public service.

Currently, there is a wide discrepancy in pay and benefits between superintendents. This change will help create equitability in the pay and benefits offered to superintendents.

This change will also make it easier for divisional education councils to hire qualified northern educators, many of whom are already, and wish to remain, within the public service pension and benefits system.

Of the five superintendent positions impacted by this bill, three incumbents are already seconded from within the public service. The bill includes a transitional provision to honour the existing contracts of the two superintendents who are outside the public service. We engaged all boards and superintendents on this proposal, and they are in agreement with this change.

I want to be clear: this bill does not change the reporting relationship between a divisional education council and their superintendent. The divisional education council will also continue to hire, supervise, evaluate and, if necessary, discipline and fire their superintendent. This is set out in the Education Act.

In terms of following my direction, superintendents are already required under the Education Act to follow ministerial directives, and nothing will change in this regard.

Having superintendents within the public service will also help strengthen accountability in the education system. It will create consistency between the employment status of superintendents and their staff and teachers. It will also clarify that superintendents must comply with GNWT acts and policies, such as the Public Service Act and the Human Resources Manual.

Overall, this bill will improve our education system and help attract and retain the best northern educators for the important position of education superintendent.

I would be pleased to answer any questions.