Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Ms. Young. Mr. Bromley.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee today? Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

I’d like to ask the Minister if he has previous experience with bringing about such a change or a policy of this nature. I’m just wondering what kind of a time frame we might be looking at. What’s involved in terms of the approvals and getting that new rule or regulation or policy out to the folks that are in a position to approve leave? What kind of a time frame might we be looking at to accomplish all of that?

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Ms. Young.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the need for some discretionary latitude in the granting of leave to teachers who may be involved in volunteering in very worthwhile efforts on behalf of promoting healthy, engaged youth in our communities. If the government doesn’t think that these kind of volunteers make a difference in our communities, we need only point to a young man like Brendan Green, who made it all the way to the Olympics, and he did so as a result of the volunteer coaches in Hay River that started him off and got him going on his sport.

I’d like to ask...

Thank you, Mr. Williams. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Something very troubling has come to my attention and I feel the need to raise this issue in the House today.

Last week a letter went to parents of biathlon athletes in my community from their long-time coach, who is also a teacher in Hay River. Although I cannot read the whole letter in my Member’s statement, I would like to draw your attention to some parts of this letter. It reads:

“It is with much sadness and disappointment that I must share with everyone that I will be stepping down as the head coach of the Hay River Biathlon Team and Ski Club. I will finish out...

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister McLeod.

Minister McLeod.