Caroline Cochrane

The first thing that was brought to the principal's attention was actually brought by staff members who were complaining that the books were outdated, that the resources weren't being used, that they were old, and they were sitting in boxes for years. They wanted better access to them. Then the principal actually went to the superintendent of the board to get their approval and was approved, and so then the process began.

At first, I agreed. I thought it was a small change to an act, too, and I thought, "Can we get it done?" Then I asked the department. Wisely, the department kind of put me back a bit and they told me the reality is that we're dealing with, like I said, a couple of issues. One is that the Commission scolaire doesn't fit within the package as it is now. Two, how do we deal with the three-year term moving into a four-year term, addressing the gap and the public perception?

We are looking at it seriously. I cannot commit that it will be done within the next couple of months, but the good news is...

Absolutely. We need to really look at where we are spending our monies for education and make sure that we are giving the best supports to not only school boards but ultimately to the students, because they are the ones who we are impacting and they are our future. I do want to say it is a little bit difficult because currently our act is structured so that the terms fall within the municipal government. Right now, it is structured within a two- or a three-year term, so it will be a little bit of a challenge.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize my nephew, Jeremy Beauchamp, the second Cochrane to be in the House. I'm so proud of him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As stated earlier, we are just in the finalization of doing a “what we heard” document and drafting up a legislative proposal. We are going to be introducing and bringing it forward in the next session of May to June, and then of course Members have the 120 days to take it out.

The MLA actually answered his own question. At this moment, I cannot speak on anything happening with the union.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the compliment from the MLA. I appreciate that. Not only is it parental and family caregiver leave within this act. We are looking at domestic violence that was brought up, but also domestic workers, for example, nannies, to make sure that they are covered as well. We did the stakeholders' consultation that was brought. We will be bringing forward the “what we heard” document in March here, coming in, and then, right now, we are finalizing the legislative proposal at this moment.

I guess there are many lessons that come. One of the lessons is that life changes constantly. Don't get used to status quo because it changes all the time. That is something I have realized, and that is something we need to be conscious of within this House because that is what we are here for, to be abreast of it and to make changes. Another lesson I learned is, not only through this, work together. Work with your cross-jurisdictional, work with your partners in other jurisdictions and the federal government because it is important. A third lesson that I have learned is, even though I really...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate one of the Range Lake constituents, Mr. Jeff Seabrook. Jeff Seabrook is the recipient of Canada's Outstanding Principal Award.

Jeff is the principal of William McDonald Middle School, and his hard work in building trust and respect with students and their families has not gone unnoticed. It is an honour to have one of Canada's best principals situated right here in Yellowknife, supporting our students to the best of his abilities.

Please join me, everyone, in celebrating his accomplishments and all of the much...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to recognize the constituents of Range Lake, and excuse me if I say it wrong. I am trying for the fiftieth time: David Wasylciw.