In the Legislative Assembly on September 20th, 2017. See this topic in context.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I did some additional research and I have some additional questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about his decision to dismiss the Aurora College board of governors in May. According to the board minutes posted on the college web site from the February meeting, "Individual board members brought forward their concerns over the budget cuts, specifically the impact on students, regional centres, and staff." Can the Minister tell us what consultation he did with the board prior to announcing the changes to the teacher education and social work programs? Mahsi.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

September 19th, 2017

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in previous sessions, our staff worked with Aurora College to look at some of these proposed cuts and made sure that we made informed decisions based on data and the information that they provided. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

The minutes of that February meeting go on to say, "The board also noted their disappointment in how the decisions were brought forward with little consultation or discussion with the board." Does the Minister recall this statement from his February meeting with them?

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

If the Member wants, we can get that information on how the process went down in regards to our staff meeting with the Aurora College senior management, how this information was relayed, and how this discussion happened right from staff to staff. We will get that information for the Member.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I will take that as a commitment. The minutes of the February board meeting is that the board was fully functional. It was engaged in issues of financing, governance, strategic planning, and so on. I am still not understanding why the Minister decided to fire the board in May.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

When the discussions of the foundational review had taken place in the May/June sitting, we looked at some direction that has come through, and one of those discussions and directions that were brought forth from some Members was that we look at the governance and we look at the structure of the college. There was a recommendation from the 2013 document moving forward. We took that decision, made that decision, and we are going to be looking at governance as we do this foundational review moving forward, and we look forward to the results.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am going to push back on that statement. I do not recall any of the Regular MLAs saying that they wanted the board dismissed and that this was something that they wanted to see in connection with the foundational review. What I want to say is that those minutes which I have just referenced indicate clearly that the Minister and the board were on different pages. The obvious question is: did the Minister decide to dismiss the board so they would not have any further pushback about the changes he wants to make at the college? Mahsi.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

No, not at all. Thank you.

Question 841-18(2): Dismissal Of Aurora College Board Of Governors
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

The time for oral questions has expired. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports on committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Justice.