Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, shortly after the end of the last session I received a copy of a confidential assessment of Aurora College completed in 2013. After reading the report I wonder why the college is being studied again less than four years later. It would take less time and cost less money to follow through with the recommendations that were made then.
The 2013 study focused on the college's purpose, its roles and responsibilities with respect to the Education Minister and his department, and to "strengthen the college and its successes." The consultant met with everyone and anyone with an interest in the college.
The 2013 report made 36 recommendations about governance, operations, planning, and accountability. The consultant noted that many of the issues and challenges weren't new even then. The college's broad mandate requires it to be all things to all students. Then, as now, the college was required to reduce operations because funding from the GNWT had declined. To quote the assessment, "Possibly the greatest challenge facing the college is that of rationalizing its purpose against the resources available." Ditto today. The consultant recommended that "the Minister, in cooperation with the board, examine the college's purpose with the intention of confirming a long-term direction for the college." He also references a forthcoming strategic plan. That plan was scrubbed to make way for the foundational review this spring, although how it would differ from the study before or after is anyone's guess.
The foundational review ordered by the Minister in March has similar terms of reference and the contractor will meet with a similar group of people, and it is very likely that he or she will come up with similar recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, I'm unsure what the government of the day did with the 2013 study recommendations, but surely the Minister is familiar with them. If not, why not? If so, why take the time and money for another review? I believe the Minister already has the information he needs without spending another $413,000 on the question of the college's future. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.