Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked a couple of questions on the Teacher Education Program, trying to get a feel for what the plan is moving forward with the elimination of this program. I want to ask the Minister if there is a plan to replace this program with something of that type of level of professionalism that is required. When you finish the Teacher Education Program you have opportunities to get decent-level jobs. I am wondering what will replace that? Thank you.

I'm very glad to hear that. That was my next question, if somebody was going to assist these individuals moving into another program of their choice. So can the Minister advise me of what programs are these students targeted for?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I talked about the social work program being cut from Aurora College. I'd like to ask the Minister of Education what is the plan moving forward with the social work program at Aurora College, if there is any plan? Thank you.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are real people affected by education budget cuts. There are five women in the social work access program at Aurora College here in Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, when Aurora College decided to cut the social work program, it meant that five families were adversely affected and were hurt by this decision. Aurora College made that decision because the government asked them to make program cuts.

Mr. Speaker, no new students can go into the social work program next fall, which means that the program the students are in now, the program that they've invested...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

---Carried

I will now rise to report progress.

Is the Minister telling me that there will not be something to replace the Teacher Education Program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not expecting the Minister maybe to have these answers at his fingertips, but I was wondering if the Minister could advise me how many of the students had graduated from the social work program in recent years? I'm looking for what's happened and how people had progressed into health and social services, and I'm just trying to get a feel for whether or not there's a level of success with the program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My concern today obviously was with the students in the social work access program. So I wonder if the Minister could talk to Aurora College about what would be the implications, I suppose, of extending the program for one year so that people who have entered in at the access level at this time also have an opportunity to complete their social work diploma?

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move item 12 on the orders paper, replies to budget address. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report progress, and Mr. Speaker, I move that report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.