This is page numbers 4111 - 4162 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 know.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for that response from the Minister.

My second question is in regards to the action item develop greater integration of services for children and youth in the education system through expanding regional capacity. This action item has also been delayed, and I'm noting that it also includes explore regional approaches to expand the current capacity of the territorial-based support team and identify a pilot or a demonstration site for the model to be deployed and evaluated. So when is this work expected to be completed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So we've done a jurisdictional scan, a literature scan, and the model for a regional-based support team was developed. Of course, like many things our efforts had gone elsewhere over the past couple of years in the education system. There was a drastic shift in how we do business. We're finally getting back to normal, and next week things are going to look a lot more normal in schools. But that really held us up, and so when you -- we -- I guess in the past couple years as well, there's been a greater push towards integrated service delivery approach, and we are looking at how that is going to impact this development as well. So we are delayed because of events that have happened, but I think that we are in a good position to move forward in a coordinated fashion. Thank you.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the territorial-based support team is vital to children, especially outside of Yellowknife accessing support services. And I'm wondering if the territorial-based support teams are currently all fully staffed, and if not, what positions is the department still trying to fill? Thank you.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have five positions. Three are staffed. I have a text telling me which positions are not staffed but I can't scroll to it at this moment. I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker, but I can get the Member that information. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question is in regards to the OAG report. And the OAG report that came out near the beginning of our term stipulated that ECE must change the way that it's collecting data. And the example of that was the reporting of graduation rates.

Improved data collection analysis and reporting and better use of data can increase equity, improve student achievement and outcomes, and improves decision-making as well so that it's evidenced-based decision-making.

So I'm wondering, do the changes to data collection and data analysis extend to identify and close equity gaps for learning interventions and access to supports across the Northwest Territories? This -- this is an important requirement, as noted, to prevent potentials for systemic discrimination or inequity among our support services. Thank you.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And we know there's issues with the education system along with some student outcomes. But that's -- just saying we know there's issues isn't enough. We need to target those issues. And in order to target those issues and develop solutions, we need data. And so there has been a shift in the last few years to collect more data and use that in different ways.

As part of -- our education is very decentralized and so it has made it difficult at times, but there is a lot of work happening. The graduation rate, it's fa more complicated number than I think a lot of people that I -- than I expected, even, and we have finally I think settled on a way that really reflects the realities of the territory because not every grad rate calculation is created equal. So we are using our own rate as well.

We are also publishing the JK to 12 Education Assistance Performance Measures Technical Report, and we intend to do that yearly. And that has a lot of information about all sorts of different outcomes across the territory.

So, yes, we are doing that work. As with everything else, things have been delayed a bit. We were pushed off track quite a bit over the past couple of years, but it is still our focus. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Mr. Speaker.

Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Mr. Speaker, I have a provisional Return to Written Question 36-19(2) asked by the Member for Great Slave on March 8th, 2022, to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding mental health supports for residents.

We require a bit more time to finalize the response and will have a final response for the House on Thursday March 31, 2022. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Returns to written questions. Replies to Commissioner's address. Petitions. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 1035-19(2): Medical Travel Policies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism, and Investment.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following document: What We Heard Report - Qatalyst Research Group. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Colleagues, further to direction to the chief electoral officer from the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, I wish to table the Auxiliary Report of the Chief Electoral Officer: Issues Arising from the 2019 General Election.

Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, March 31st, 2022, I will move the following motion:

I move, second by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that when this House adjourns on Thursday, March 31st, 2022, it shall be adjourned until Thursday, May the 26th, 2022.

And furthermore, that at any time prior to May 26th, 2022, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet an earlier time during the adjournment, or at a time later than the scheduled resumption of the House, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Notices of motion. Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Minister responsible for Justice.

Bill 48: Arbitration Act
First Reading Of Bills

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 48, Arbitration Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you.

Bill 48: Arbitration Act
First Reading Of Bills

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(3), Bill 48, Arbitration Act has been presented, deemed read for the first time, and is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 23, Bill 29; Minister's Statement 202-19(2); Tabled Document 561-19(2), Tabled Document 567-19(2).

By the authority given to me by Motion 1-19(2), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment to consider the business before the house, with Member for Hay River South 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 Rocky Simpson

I will now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. O'Reilly.

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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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Committee would like to consider Tabled Document 567-19(2) and Minister's Statement 202-19(2). 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 Rocky Simpson

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 Rocky Simpson

Committee, we'll take a short recess.

---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 Rocky Simpson

I will call the committee back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Minister's Statement 202-19(2) and Tabled Document 567-19(2): Annual Status Report - 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Does the Premier wish to bring witnesses into the House?