The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories make a public commitment to guarantee continued reconciliation efforts in regards to education outcomes for Indigenous students, such as the removal of semester limits and increased access to funding under the basic grant.

Committee found that in its discussions around NWT students moving forward with post-secondary education, committee could not ignore the many aspects of the education system that need to be improved to provide NWT students and, in particular, Indigenous students, with the tools they need to be ready for post-secondary education. Committee believes this needs to be addressed from all angles of the school experience. For example, the government should ensure that every student in every NWT school has access to a lunch program. Committee believes that students in small communities who show desire to pursue post-secondary education should have access to enrichment programs or streams to nourish their potential. Committee also believes educational outcomes in the NWT cannot improve until access to mental health supports in schools and therapeutic interventions such as speech therapy are properly funded by the government.

Committee would also like to highlight the findings of the 2020 February Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly entitled "Early Childhood to Grade 12 Education in the Northwest Territories - Department of Education, Culture and Employment" as this report focused on evaluating the department's delivery of equitable and inclusive education programs and services that reflected Indigenous languages and cultures, to support improved student outcomes for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike.

All of these aspects to the school experience and many more contribute to a student's success in their educational career, and many of these services and programs are lacking in Indigenous communities. As such, committee recommends the following action to the Government:

Recommendation 3:

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories study the disparity of educational outcomes between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students and put forward a plan with solutions to ensure that our Indigenous students are not left behind no more.

CONCLUSION

On October 8th, 2024, committee held a clause-by-clause review. Committee passed a motion to report Bill 8 to the Legislative Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the Standing Committee on Social Development's review of Bill 8.

Recommendation 4:

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response -- sorry, I apologize. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do apologize.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Committee Report 9-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development report on Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, be received by the Assembly and referred to the Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.