This is page numbers 1903 - 1944 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was work.

Question 540-19(2): Red Tape
Oral Questions

Page 1912

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Our time for oral questions has expired. Item 9, written questions. Item 10, returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to Commissioner's address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, reports of standing and special committees. Item 15, tabling of documents. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I will table some digital photos of the Taltson area flooding dated January 8 to February 2, 2021. Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I wish to table the "Draft Amended Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, dated February 10, 2021." Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Tabling of documents. Item 16, notices of motion. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I give notice that, on Friday, February 12, 2021, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this Legislative Assembly repeal the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly originally adopted on December 10, 2019, and adopt the newest version of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories identified as Tabled Document 305-19(2); and further that the new Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, upon adoption of this motion, come into effect immediately. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Notices of motion. Item 17, motions. Item 18, notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Item 19, first reading of bills. Item 20, second reading of bills. 21, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Minister's Statement 77-19(2): National Housing Co‐Investment Fund; Tabled Document 165-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 1-19(2), Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery - Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 166-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 2-19(2), Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery - Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 167-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 3-19(2), Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery - Recommendations to the GNWT; and Tabled Document 286-19(2), Main Estimates 2021-2022, with the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Norn.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Mahsi, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to continue on dealing with Tabled Document 286-19(2), Main Estimates 2021-2022, Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Mahsi.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Does committee agree?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. We will take a short recess and resume with the first item.

---SHORT RECESS

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Welcome back, committee. We will be continuing on under the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, junior kindergarten to grade 12 school services. Sergeant-at-Arms, will you escort the witnesses back into the Chamber. Minister, will you introduce your witnesses, please?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. I would like to welcome my deputy minister, Ms. Rita Mueller, and Mr. Sam Shannon, the assistant deputy minister of Corporate Services. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, and welcome back today. Are there Member who still have questions for the junior kindergarten to grade 12 on page 48? Mr. Bonnetrouge.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Madam Chair. I don't know if this is the section, but I'm inquiring about I think you called them student support, that they are classroom assistants. Is that what they are called, student supports?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. There are a number of different positions. We have program support teachers, are the teachers who are the support teachers in the classrooms. You know what, for the different types of individuals in the education system, I will ask the deputy minister to elaborate because, in addition to that, we also have teams at ECE that assist teachers, as well. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Deputy Minister Mueller.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Mueller

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Minister. We do typically call those individuals who are working either one-on-one with children or in small groups "student support assistants." They used to be called "classroom assistants," but we changed that name, tried to promote changing that name a while ago. We also have, as the Minister mentioned, program support teachers. Program support teachers are not assigned a full-time teaching schedule. What they are meant to do is to help all of the other classroom teachers in the school be able to develop the appropriate plans for children who need some kind of adopted or adapted plan, and they also act as a liaison between the parents and children with complex needs and different services that could be provided for them. Every education authority also has a regional inclusive schooling coordinator who, on behalf of the education authority, works to support those program support teachers as well as all the student support assistants. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Deputy Minister. Member for Deh Cho.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi. It's getting kind of confusing in the schools now with so many bodies helping here and there. When I used to be a classroom assistant, I think we went through a program, a diploma program. Back then, I think it was over four summers. I'm just wondering because now I'm confused about the student support. I think, back then, we called them "specialized teachers" who did one-on-one with children who had problems. Your program support people almost sound like the classroom assistants, if you are setting work plans or schedules, helping the main teacher. I'm just wondering if there is any kind of training program for those people, if there is anything in the plans or if they have anything in place because I know, with the Aboriginal Head Start, for any employment at that place, you had to have an early childhood certificate, at least; as a start, anyway. I'll let the Minister respond to that. Mahsi.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister of ECE.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. I'd like to ask the deputy minister to answer.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Deputy Minister Mueller.