Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Thank you, committee. Does committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Committee Report 24-18(3)?

Thank you, committee. This concludes consideration of Committee Report 24-18(3). Committee, we have agreed to next consider Bill 48. I will give committee a moment to get the materials prepared. I will ask the Minister responsible for the bill to introduce it. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to be here today to discuss Bill 48: Post-Secondary Education Act. The primary objective of this bill is to create a process of recognition within the Northwest Territories that ensures the effective governance and quality assurance of all post-secondary institutions and their programs. This new system of quality assurance will provide consumer protection for students and employers that rely on institutions to provide the appropriate level and types of education and training.

Currently in the Northwest Territories we do not have a clear and incremental pathway for an organization to gain recognition as a post-secondary institution. The Post-Secondary Education Act will promote the growth of our post-secondary system and enable organizations to gain different levels and types of recognition based on their own mission and goals. Such recognition is essential to maintaining the confidence of students, employers, and post-secondary education funders from the public and private sector.

For the first time, under one piece of legislation, organizations will be able to gain formal recognition as a private training institution, college, or university. Organizations may also apply for recognition of their degree program or private vocational training program.

In addition to quality assurance processes, the Post-Secondary Education Act creates the ability to recognize Indigenous post-secondary institutions operating in the Northwest Territories. However, the act is only the first step. The specific process and evaluation criteria will be developed through further engagements with Indigenous governments that will shape this important part of our post-secondary education system.

The Post-Secondary Education Act has grown out of a long process of engagement with stakeholders across the territory. The discussion paper released by the department in January 2018 outlined what we might achieve through this legislation and has served as the basis for ongoing dialogue with stakeholders. Officials from the department have been meeting regularly with stakeholders to hear their concerns and ideas, as well as to provide them with updates on development of the legislation.

The department will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure subsequent regulations are clear, effective, and supportive of organizations striving to grow their role in meeting the educational needs of Northerners. Under the new legislation, the post-secondary education system will increasingly become a collaboration between a growing number of post-secondary education organizations operating in the Northwest Territories. It provides a framework for how we will work together moving forward.

I would like to recognize the hard work of the Members of the Standing Committee on Social Development during their review of Bill 48. The questions they posed throughout the process were thoughtful and demonstrated an in-depth analysis of the bill.

Looking back over the past two years, the Standing Committee on Social Development has spent a significant amount of time collaborating with me on our post-secondary education initiatives. Together, we have accomplished several important milestones that I know will have significant and lasting benefits for residents of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I will now turn to the chair of the committee that considered the bill for any opening comments he may have. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be brief, as I have already done opening comments on the report. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Minister and her department for their willingness to work with us. It was a pleasure working with them. We had quick responses back and forth to get this bill done in a timely manner. Again, I would like to thank her staff for working with the staff from the Legislative Assembly. The staff worked extremely hard. I would like to thank them. I would also like to thank committee for all their hard work moving forward on this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I will ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, please take your seat at the witness table. Minister, will you please introduce your witnesses for the record.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With me today I have on my left-hand side Dr. Chris Joseph. He is the technical lead for Post-Secondary Education Act with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. On my right, I have Ms. Cherie Jarock. She is the legislative counsel for the Department of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Welcome back to the witnesses. Are there any general comments on the bill? Seeing none, does committee agree that we move to clause-by-clause consideration of the bill?

Thank you, committee. There are 69 clauses in the bill. Would committee be agreeable to group the clauses in groups of 10?

Thank you, committee. I will call out the clauses in groups of 10. If committee is agreeable, please respond accordingly. If there is something in any of those clauses that committee has questions about or comments on, please raise your hand and let me know, and it will be discussed. Please turn to page 6 of the bill to begin. Clauses 1 through 10.

---Clauses 1 through 69 inclusive approved

Thank you, committee. Please return to the bill number and title. Bill 48: Post-Secondary Education Act. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. To the bill as a whole, does committee agree that Bill 48: Post-Secondary Education Act is now ready for third reading?

Thank you, committee. Bill 48 is now ready for third reading. I want to thank the Minister and the witnesses for appearing before us. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witnesses from the Chamber. Does committee agree this concludes our consideration of Bill 48?

Thank you, committee. We have concluded all the work we have agreed to. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move the chair rise and report progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. I will rise and report progress.

May I have the report, Member for Hay River North?

Masi. Do I have a seconder? The Member for Yellowknife North. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Masi. Item 22, third reading of bills. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.