Thank you, Minister Lafferty. Deputy minister.

Thank you, deputy minister. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that response. It’s always important for us to reflect and evaluate monumental shifts or changes in leadership and, in this case here, how we are looking after our various divisions in management.

To the question of how well this has been working, I noticed that recently the graduation rate in the last year did rise slightly. I think it increased by around 8 percent.

What would have accounted for a larger increase in graduation rates? Of course, I think it’s under 65 percent, but there was something of a shift. Can we maybe get the department’s explanation why we’re seeing that slight increase in graduation rates? Thank you.

Maybe it’s a pre-ERI birthday gift. Again, it’s just something to note and, again, trends are something, I know, that many Members here pick up on and I’m sure we’ll have more questions in the future.

Mr. Chair, first when we took on this job four years ago, almost four years ago, the Auditor General report tabled information regarding the Adult Learning and Basic Education. Without getting into the details of that audit report, this is a report that, literally, it was scathing to a certain degree, but there were issues in terms of how we were evaluating this program and some of the monies around it, in the performance measures. So, to the department, if I can get an update as to where we’re at now with ALBE in terms of its action plan, its performance measures and if maybe we can have an update on the accountability framework. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. The ALBE, when we did the review, there’s been a considerable discussion with various stakeholders and we want to get the actual feedback from the people in order to make the changes to our programming within the college, other organizations that deliver this core programming. So there’s been a lot of discussion in this area. What led to that is, obviously, part of the Skills for Success is another initiative that we’ve undertaken to deal with adults and post-secondary education and skills training program supports and also Pathways. That also includes the ALBE programming and has a link. It’s a direct integration with the Skills for Success. So those are just some of the discussions that we’ve been having within my department with the stakeholders across the North. So, we are currently working with steering committee on developing the action plan. There are the 14 recommendations that we’re following through. So that’s just some of the up-to-date status on this ALBE review process.

I do appreciate the Minister’s reply to that. I’m a little bit saddened by the fact that it’s almost been four years now that we’re still working on it, and I can understand that there needs to be due process for problems of this nature. If I can maybe get some indication, will we see some sort of resolution to the ALBE saga as a result of the OAG report, in terms of its finality, during the life of the 17th Assembly? Will we see these accountability framework and performance measures in place?

We are moving this as quickly as we can. ALBE has been a challenge that was brought to our attention, even as far as Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative when we did the actual forum, listening to the educators, the adult educators. They’ve instructed us that we need to make some changes and we have done that. Based on the recommendations, this Skills for Success obviously will play a huge role in identifying the actual needs from the communities’ perspective and delivering core programs through the institutions, through the college campuses that we have. So these will be the tools that we need to work with.

The symposium that’s coming up next week, it’s at the initial stages and collecting data and analysis of what the real needs are. We have the Sahtu needs assessment that’s part of the package we want each region to provide and then from there to deliver core programming so it meets the needs of the industry standards in the private sectors as well. We will be moving forward within the life of this Assembly and then on to the next Assembly as well.

I appreciate it. No further questions on this activity. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Committee, we’re on page 61, corporate management, operations expenditure summary, $11.967 million. Agreed?

Agreed. Page 62, corporate management, active positions. Questions?

Agreed. Page 65, education and culture, operations expenditure summary, $244.200 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is a big section of the department so I have a number of questions here. I just want to reiterate the comments made by Mr. Dolynny just recently about the Adult Learning and Basic Education program review. This has been something that has been in the works for a very long time. I think we have yet to see an end to this review process. It’s an area where it’s very difficult for us as a committee to evaluate whether or not the money that we’re spending on ALBE is well spent. There are learning centres in most of our communities. There are also programs at Aurora College at the various campuses, but when we look at the numbers as a committee, we have great difficulty in knowing whether or not the money we’re spending has value. This review was supposed to be looking at that. I do feel that it’s about time that we get the review finished and that committee has an opportunity to look at it before this Assembly is over. I don’t have a question there. That was just a comment.

My first question has to go to the review of funding schools, funding formulas. I mentioned it in my opening comments, particularly the review of inclusive schooling which is well overdue. I’m given to understand that the department is also reviewing the overall school funding formula. When are we going to see the results of the review of the schools formula funding which apparently now includes the inclusive schooling funding? I’d like to get confirmation that the schools funding formula includes a review of inclusive schooling funding. Secondly, when are we going to see the review results? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Heide.

Thanks, Mr. Heide. Ms. Bisaro.

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thanks to Mr. Heide for that. Can I get an estimate of time? Are we talking days or weeks or months? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Heide.

Thank you, Mr. Heide. Ms. Bisaro.