Inuvik Boot Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have committed to fully funding junior kindergarten, as we have said on many occasions. With the funding formulas, that is something that we constantly review. Like anything else, our policies, in terms of the concerns that were brought up in terms of fully funding junior kindergarten, we still don't know the full numbers, so we are still working with our education authorities. Once we have those education authorities, we will look at going through the appropriate supplementary budgetary process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to the Member for bringing forward this proposed amendment. As Minister responsible for Education, I believe that the NWT superintendents, principals, and teachers know their students best. They want their students to be successful as do all of us here in this House and to have a variety of options available to them upon completion of their high school program.

Schools will schedule the appropriate hours of instructions that they believe their students require to successfully complete their coursework. I think it is important for all Members to remember that the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think communication is an issue that we need to work on, but it also needs to be addressed through partnerships with our education authorities working with our board chairs to ensure that this message gets out to teachers. I did attend some of the public hearings as well as constituency meetings where we had parents who were just getting this information presented to them. However, I know some of our education authorities did reach out as well, including us, and we did try to get the communication on the radio and in the newspapers, get it out as much as we can to get...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I said, we will take a look at it. When we do get the funds back, it is still going to be under, but we fund the ratio of 16 to 1. With the inclusive schooling, we will still be funding above what we fund for inclusive schooling. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Yes, I do.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Yes. I just want to emphasize again that the rollout of junior kindergarten is still optional for parents to enrol their four-year-olds into the program. It is still optional. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "NWT Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Strategy, 2017-2022." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As previously stated when this question has come up in previous committee meetings and public hearings, at the 12 to 1 ratio and the fouryearolds in the school, in the school building they will have access to other resources in the school, school support teams, counsellors, EAs, principals, so they will have more resources in the school system. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

When we look at the utilization rates, we look at utilization rates as they pertain to communities, so the utilization rate here in Yellowknife isn't as high as it is by the school. Obviously, we look at school sharing. We are currently in discussions with YCS now, how we deal with that utilization rate and the high numbers that they are getting. We have schools across NWT that also are at certain levels that we need to have those discussions. However, the utilization rates haven't reached that peak within the Yellowknife schools, but we are in discussions with YCS on how we come up with...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I mentioned, we are mandated to run early childhood programs, according to this bill and this specific program. Those discussions would have to be made afterwards, but, as I said, this government is mandated, it is a priority of the 18th Legislative Assembly to provide early childhood programs throughout the Northwest Territories, and I do believe Members, with the passion that they have, understand the value of some of these programs going in our communities and appreciate the support from the general comments that were made around the room earlier. At the end of the...