Debates of Oct. 20th, 2025

Thank you. And I know it's not matching, but the criteria is very much dependent on you use your surplus before you get to these numbers. And that has caused consternation from some school education bodies who have expressed concern about this. And I want to stress that education bodies are not in a position to criticize programs every time I've met with them regardless of where they're at in the territory or which region they serve. It is very clear that this is a -- you know, they have a lot of needs and students with a lot of needs and are chronically underfunded. So anytime funding comes along, they're not going to say bad things about it, but they may offer a criticism. And in a CBC article on September 22nd, the South Slave Divisional Education Council spoke to this surplus requirement as a, quote: This would set us up for failure. The YK1 said, quote: I basically applied on a hope and a prayer to see if we'd be eligible for anything. So those kind of statements in contrast to this do cause me concern because that does not sound like there's a clear pathway for the eligibility requirements. So do we know how this money is going to break down by regions? I mean, my colleague from Monfwi asked some pretty pointed questions about this too, about where this money is going. So let's just -- how are we going to account for this? I'm assuming we'll see it in the public accounts in some form but, like, are we going to see it in the education bodies? Are they going to be reporting on it? Like, how can we get a wrap-up to make sure that this is maximizing impact? And some of these unanswered questions about, like, how many surplus dollars are coming forward, which students are being affected; everything we basically said today, how can we see that at the end of the day? Because right now there -- I don't think this is as transparent as it ought to be. And, again, I will join the chorus of everyone here, I think, saying this is a responsibility to the federal government and it was a very bad decision for the North to do what they did, but right now we're talking about this program and how we're using it to maximize the benefits to northern students. So if the Minister can tackle some of those issues. Thank you.

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So I'll say at the outset I am trying to avoid saying exactly the number that the boards don't want to spend. I don't necessarily have their blessing to say those numbers that are on the floor for them or that are before them for decisions. So what I can say is this, that right now what was requested in order to participate in this program which, again, is, you know, us stepping in for the federal government when we're really ill-funded to do so. So I hear the frustration, and I appreciate the frustration from the boards, but we also weren't expecting to be filling rather the significant gap on just a few months' notice when we were already through our main estimates process. But what's required is really, firstly, the confirmation that an application to the federal government's been denied. Secondly, a specific number that's being requested, so how many positions are being requested, including where they were at in terms of the salary level. And then last but not least is this issue of a confirmation that if there is some surplus available to the board and that there's some amount from that that's being allocated based on the number of support positions that they're looking to use. So that's where -- when I'm saying there's not a specific formula or a number, it's because it's dependent upon how much of a surplus a particular board has, how many positions they're looking to fund, and also ensuring that any request to use that surplus wouldn't impact expenditure projects. So particularly if the surplus is being used, for example, to replace a roof or do something else, wanting to avoid dipping into that. That's the system now. I'll stop there for the clock. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you. I just think we need to have some very clear reporting on it just so we understand it. But maybe that is a question for the education Minister.

Finally, I guess if we could put it into terms, we often ask this, like how much money is represented when it's being spent on staffing in particular or programs, how much does it actually represent. So out of $14 million, how many EAs is that employing or EA positions is that creating? Thank you.

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I mean, it would be sort of upwards of 170 is the best estimate I can have right now. I mean, and again, that would depend on the final applications. But the projection of the $14 million is that it should cover 172 based on average costs. But, again, my hesitancy just being depending on whether or not school boards are able to help support this gap from the exercise, that may fund more positions. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, I have Member for YK Centre.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think most of my questions largely have been answered by my colleagues here, but I'll just clarify just one point because it sounded like it was folding into the question and folding out of the question, which is even though this is educational assistant money, is some of it intended for Jordan's Principal money in that? Thank you.

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. To the extent that Jordan's Principal system was being previously used to support these education assistants, then yes. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for YK Centre.

Thank you for that. Will it come with the same types of restrictions? Jordan Principal money was intended for Indigenous students. So if they were offering, say, PT or speech, language, etcetera, for students in the context of ensuring that no child is, say, being held back adversely, of course, they were informed that they couldn't use the programming for other kids in need. Does that type of same restrictions come forward if there's no negative ill effects of the time they'll be (audio). Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So, again, one of the stipulated requirements was to provide the application that went to the federal government for Jordan's Principal. So, you know, again, that is bound up within the application process here. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Yeah, thank you. I apologize, I maybe have heard half the answer there. What I'd like to say is maybe -- if I restated the question differently, maybe I'll get the same answer, and that'll be fine too, which is the -- essentially, are they able to bleed coverage? In other words, take more kids on that are non-Indigenous in this regard? So in other words, if a PT specialist through the Jordan's Principal money that we're covering to the extent of what you can find has openings, are they allowed to offer it? Because previously they weren't allowed to extend the services, and that was a -- ensuring enough kids get supports. And, again, I'm underscoring heavily that it's not an intention of trying to scoop anyone's opportunities. I'm saying can they be -- can they use some of -- utilize some of those services whilst they're there? Thank you.

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So, again, Madam Chair, the application process is one that goes through the same as it would have been for Jordan's Principal which is that it needs to demonstrate that the students are -- or that the application is one focused on Indigenous students. I mean, the reality is more resources in a school are more resources in a school, but to the extent that there's going to be students or education assistants assigned more directly to Indigenous students, then right now if there's one teacher with no education assistants in a classroom, if there's a majority of Indigenous students there, or one education assistant, they may now have more that can then focus exclusively on Indigenous students and that would theoretically free up the others. But I hope that kind of gets at what the Member's asking. Thank you.

Member for YK Centre.

Yeah, I'm not -- I'm hoping the Minister, because she's -- because most of these questions aren't really for her in a sense. I mean, these are application questions that go down the line. I just -- I'm just thinking of reasonable use and good management of resources. Certainly not taking away from the intent (audio) so.

So are we -- is the Minister familiar with how many educational assistants will be able to come back given the fact that this particular money has been somewhat reinstated? Thank you.

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Unfortunately, I can't say with certainty. I mean, obviously the first step is for the boards to confirm the acceptance of a contribution agreement for the funding, which as was noted earlier there are still some boards that are in discussions with ECE as to whether or what amount of a surplus would be appropriate for them to provide in support of this program. So until that is concluded, I won't have a number as to how many are, in fact, successful in being hired or rehired. Thank you.

Member for YK Centre.