Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2019-2020 Main Estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $9.8 million or three percent over the 2018-2019 Main Estimates.
Improving education outcomes and student success requires ongoing support from early childhood through to post-secondary education and training. Our 2019-2020 Main Estimates reflect this approach.
The 2019-2020 estimates includes funding of $2.4 million to support initiatives, including the expansion of the Northern Distance Learning program to four additional small communities; the development of the Northern Studies curriculum for grades 11 and 12; and the implementation of a Territorial Support Team to assist students with complex needs. On the social programs side, this funding also includes an increase to rates for disabled and elderly clients on income support.
Another highlight of the proposed estimates is forced growth funding of $2.8 million, including an increase of $1.7 million to address increased demand on income security programs. Other forced growth increases will respond to the recommendations associated with a review of the Student Transportation Policy and provide for maintenance and security requirements for the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.
The estimates also reflect $4.2 million for other funding adjustments, such as the Canada-NWT Workforce Development Agreement and the GNWT-NWT Teachers' Association collective agreement.
The department continues to work to meet the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I would like to draw attention to some key initiatives for 2019-2020:
- Further implementation of the new junior kindergarten to grade 12 Indigenous Languages and Education Policy and its renewed funding and accountability structure;
- Launch of the second year of a pilot of the new Our Languages curriculum for Indigenous languages;
- Introduction of an Early Learning Framework for Children that reflects the cultures of the NWT, to be used in early childhood programs; and
- Continued work on the government's response to the Aurora College Foundational Review.
These are a few highlights for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. I look forward to working with Members to advance our priorities and the mandate actions related to Education, Culture and Employment. That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.