Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. We’re not taking the power back. What we’re talking about here is bills to have those individual superintendents under the Public Service Act. The reporting mechanism, the bill does not reflect on that. The reporting mechanism will continue as is for a number of years now, will continue to support that through their elected officials as DECs.

We’ve also met with the board chairs on a number of occasions on this particular bill that is being introduced here today. For the record, there have not been any major issues brought to my attention from the board chairs that I’ve been...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I just want to be clear that this bill does not change the reporting mechanism or the relationship between the district education council and their superintendent. That relationship still continues with DECs and board chairs. They have very positive working relations right now and we would like that to continue.

The superintendents, obviously, give advice and also feedback to the district education council. Obviously, we may disagree on various issues or things that are happening, but at the same time, we work with it. We’re not going to discipline a superintendent for saying...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. This obviously has been brought to our attention through the committee’s work, and the committee has heard a lot from South Slave members, as well, the DECs and DEAs. The reporting mechanism has been talked about with the South Slave as well. I met with them about a month ago. This particular topic was brought to my attention, so we talked about how it’s going to be structured. The reporting mechanism will stay the same as it is now, it will just be part of the public service staff if you will.

So we did talk in length about the reporting mechanism and the current...

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is committed to supporting the development of an educated, skilled and trained northern workforce. As stated in the Economic Outlook 2014-15 report, we have an incredible future with a potential for more than $4.5 billion in new investment in the NWT planned over the next several years. With these investments come many new jobs and opportunities.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program is a key component of the GNWT’s efforts to attract 2,000 new residents by 2019. ECE has set a target of increasing the number of nominees by 25...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. The engagement process obviously started back in November of 2010 when we met with the board chairs and superintendents to discuss this matter in the preliminary stages at that time. There was also a letter directly to the board chairs, as well, the DECs, in January of 2011. So within the next few months from there. There’s also a proposed approach that was discussed with the board chairs and the superintendents as recently as May 2014 and there was no opposition to the changes.

Just last month, a month ago, I also met with the South Slave because they brought up some concerns...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I have to make it clear that this is not a bill. It does not change the reporting relationship between a district education council and their superintendents. That will continue as it has been for a number of years since the inception of this government.

There has been a change, obviously, of leadership from Ministers, but we continue to build on the relationship with the district education council and we would like to continue doing that. Not every one of us will stay in this position forever, obviously, but during the inception there have been changes over time. At the same...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. The board superintendents do have the flexibility if there are issues being addressed and they’re not in agreement with my department. Obviously, they can voice their concerns still through the board chairs. We have been going through the process where I deal with the board chairs, and the superintendents also deal with my senior staff. Obviously, that reporting mechanism will still be captured as part of the DEC’s board chair. Currently, he reports to them and that will continue. Yes, there will be some feedback or criticism behind the scenes from the superintendents, but...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I have to my left Rita Mueller, assistant deputy minister, Education, Culture and Employment, and Ian Rennie to my right. He’s the legislative counsel within the Department of Justice. Mahsi.

I am pleased to introduce Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Education Act.

The purpose of this legislation is to bring education superintendents, other than Yellowknife Education District No. 1 and Yellowknife Catholic Schools, into the public service.

Currently, there is a wide discrepancy in pay and benefits between superintendents. This change will help create equitability in the pay and benefits offered to superintendents.

This change will also make it easier for divisional education councils to hire qualified northern educators, many of whom are already, and wish to remain, within the public...