Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. This past Thursday in my reply to the Budget Address I spoke about the importance of communication. Well, that very day at 9:00 a.m. students who are taking the Social Work Diploma course were told that the class would start a bit later. At 9:30, the staff came in and said that the students would be receiving an e-mail from the college on what was happening. When asked the question, they were told that they could not answer anything until the e-mail was sent to them.
Mr. Speaker, at 10:23 a.m. the students taking the social work program were informed that they were the last intake and the college would not be taking any new social work students, including the students taking the access program this year. The following message came from the vice-president of education and training:
This morning, Aurora College is making some announcements about upcoming changes in programs and staffing of several programs, as well as changes to student housing and tuition rates. You will receive an all-student e-mail shortly with more details. One of the upcoming changes may affect you as a student in the Social Work Diploma program. Effective immediately, Aurora College will not be accepting new registrations in the Social Work Diploma program. However, courses in the program will continue to be offered for up to two more years so that the current students and any former students who are partway through the program will have an opportunity to complete. I know this news may come as a surprise, and I want to assure you that these changes are in no way a reflection on the work your instructors have been forming or the value we place on your program.
Mr. Speaker, in other words, the program was phased out without having the college strategic plan completed. I, like the students taking the program, am deeply saddened, disappointed, frustrated, and angry to hear this news. In speaking with several students, past and present, they strongly feel and I agree that the program was creating a workforce of northern social workers who are invested in the NWT. I have seen this program improve their lives immensely. To think this opportunity will no longer be available to the NWT is unreal. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to finish my statement. Thank you.
---Unanimous consent granted