Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I spoke about the social work program and the way the college was communicating with their students. A second e-mail was sent to the students at 10:32 a.m. that day about an important message regarding the 2017-18 rent, tuition rates, and program changes.
Mr. Speaker, I need to share with this House what was said because to date I have not been informed by the department or the college. I've had to hear what is going on through Facebook, the students, and the news. This is very sad, to say the least. Again, like I said previously, communication is very poor.
Mr. Speaker, the e-mail stated:
In order to align GNWT expenditures for project revenues, all GNWT departments have been tasked with identifying expenditure reductions. Aurora College, like all GNWT departments and arm's length agencies, has been undergoing the difficult but necessary challenge of identifying ways to reduce our budget while minimizing impacts.
Based on the information we have so far, a number of actions are being taken. Planned actions will help position Aurora College for fiscal stability and ability to deliver relevant, high-quality programming that sets learners up to participate fully in the NWT labour market or pursue further education. Programming offered by Aurora College will focus on programs that improve employment success for NWT residents, close skill gaps for in-demand jobs, and effectively respond to employer and industry needs.
Mr. Speaker, the e-mail goes on to say that there are going to be changes to the Bachelor of Education and the Social Work Diploma programs.
● Effective immediately, there will be no more student intake.
● The program will continue for up to two years, for social work, and three years, for the education program, to allow the 2016-17 first-year students to complete and to bring back students who are partway through the program and could complete by June 2020.
● Program end date will be June 2, 2019 for the social work and June 2020 for education.
To add insult, the college is going to increase student rent with increases over the next two years, and tuition for certificate, diploma, and degree programs by increasing by $300 per term in 2017-18. Mr. Speaker, I wish to seek unanimous consent to finish my Member's statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted