Alfred Moses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The college always looks at the programs and evaluates programs. The programs that were brought forth in the reductions were a collaborative work between our departments, our department of ECE and Aurora College executive staff, to come up with these decisions that needed to be made. As I mentioned, when we are making those decisions, we want to make sure that we are getting the best bang for our dollar, that the investments that we are making, the dollars are being spent effectively and efficiently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, those discussions are happening right now. We're working with the superintendents and the school boards to find out how we address some of those concerns that are being brought forward. We'll wait until we get the results out of that meeting and how things are going to be progressing, and we will give updates to the Members on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Aurora College currently receives $36 million in base and contribution funding from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, as well as an in-kind contribution from other GNWT departments. College senior management, with direction from the senior board of governors, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the college, including decisions around when and where programs should be offered. As the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, I did provide strategic direction to the college through a mandate letter, and we continue to work closely with the college to ensure...

When we are implementing junior kindergarten in the fall in the schools, students in the JK system will have access to all programs and services provided in the school, so there will be some supports there for them.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reductions were part of the GNWT's 2016-17 business planning process and were included in the 2017-2018 Main Estimates. As I mentioned earlier this week, ensuring that programs we offer and programs that we provide funding for are effective and are efficient, that is part of good management. We looked at some of these programs that were brought before us in terms of the 10-year strategic plan that Aurora College is currently undertaking. It is going to look at some of the needs of the NWT labour market that were identified in the needs assessment that we tabled in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, our staff is meeting with the superintendents right now on the roll-out of junior kindergarten. We are listening to any concerns that they may have had, as well as what we have heard from residents from across the Northwest Territories. Those discussions are going on right now. Once those meetings are completed, we can get better updates to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That's the Personal Support Worker Program. I believe one is going into the Office Administration Program and also applying at a southern institution. I'm not sure what the program is, but we do have another student who is applying to a southern institution.

No, I am not saying that. I am saying that we are going to have to wait until April when we are able to see that Aurora College strategic 10-year plan, working with the board of governors, our staff, as well as the senior management of Aurora College. Once we get that report, all that information will be shared with committee and Members.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As it was mentioned, the social work program itself will continue to run for two more academic years. We aren’t taking any new students in, but all the students who are currently in the program will continue to get the support that they need to work on completing that diploma program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes. It is an accredited program. After they have finished the diploma program, we do work with the Department of Health to try to get these students into the department, and we also work on helping them support and finish their full degree so they have a better chance of getting a job within the GNWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.