Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to address several concerns which have been raised by my constituents and francophone stakeholders on the matter of the Ministerial Directive Enrolment of Students in French Language Education Programs. Here in the NWT we are left with a hangover from the time before responsible government, a ministerial directive and direct ministerial oversight of French language admissions process. This only exists in the three northern territories. Every other jurisdiction in Canada has devolved these responsibilities to arm's-length organizations and done away with what is in effect a colonial legacy, treating francophone families different than their anglophone counterparts.

Mr. Speaker, all Northerners ought to have a fair and equal access to education in the Northwest Territories, and this mandatory oversight by the Minister over admissions is unnecessary busy work at the ministerial level and for the public service. The Commission scolaire has the ability to internally manage this process of student admission. I am curious as to why we here in the NWT require such direct control by the Minister over only a select portion of our public education system.

The goal of supporting language and culture revitalization is an important one for all of our official languages. This goes without question. Sadly, this ministerial directive is an unnecessary public policy decision that limits the opportunities of the Commission scolaire to thrive and adapt to the ever-changing demographics and needs of Northerners.

The francophone community is a proud part of our heritage and enriches our culture. I am saddened that the advice of the francophone stakeholders in our communities on how to improve the directive has not been taken up by the current Minister or the Minister's predecessor. Later today, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on the Ministerial Directive for Enrolment and how this government can improve access to francophone education in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.