Wendy Bisaro

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thanks to the Minister and his staff. I’m okay with the costs that have been outlined in general. I was just wondering which buildings, particularly the new school in Inuvik, and Mr. Lewis has advised that that’s included in this budget, so that’s a good thing. I don’t need that list. Maybe, Mr. Chair, you can confirm whether or not other Members wish to see that list, but I’m okay without receiving more information at this point.

I did want to ask a question, though. The description of asset management talks about inspection services. I know that it is certainly...

One of the other things that was in the letter that I received in March, further to my February questions, was that the Department of Education, within negotiations with the NWT Teachers’ Association, would bring this issue to the table. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not, now that the negotiations have been concluded with the NWTTA, there was any decision made during negotiations whether or not there is an implementation plan as he’s referenced in his letter?

Yes. From 1,400 to 300, that’s a good thing. My other question has to do with other expenses the travel has been reduced significantly from $103,000 down to $15,000. Was this an anomaly in 2011-2012? I note that in 2010-2011 it was only $20,000 as well. Why the difference? Why the huge reduction?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Minister, I’m glad he’s going to get back to me with information. I would like to ask the Minister if he would commit – although there are no plans at this point – to developing some plans to look into the issue of rent controls, and as I mentioned in my statement, find a solution other than rent controls if rent controls isn’t the way to go.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his commitment. I guess I would like to ask the Minister, if he’s going to consult with French coordinators, I would ask him that he also consult with parents. There has been little, to my understanding, consultation with parents whose students are involved in this particular situation. It’s one thing for a French coordinator to say that this is the way it should be, but I would ask the Minister to consult with parents and to consult with students as well. Thank you.

I appreciate the response from the Minister. I’m having great difficulty because I have looked at a policy for secondary high school education from Alberta and from NWT and they do seem to be definitely different in that Alberta both policies state that any student can challenge any course. I need to obviously have a better explanation from the Minister as to why what I’m reading doesn’t obviously jibe with what he’s reading.

I guess I need to ask the Minister again why, when I read the policy, I see that French immersion students may not challenge a French first language exam, and yet it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to bring some emphasis to a policy issue within the Education department, a policy which will affect the post-secondary aspirations of our high school students. I think Members know that the NWT high school curriculum follows that of Alberta and I ask why then do our policies not do the same.

Last September, Alberta Education, in a misguided move, determined that French second language exams could only be written by students taking those courses, that other students could not challenge the exam. Not surprisingly, NWT Education followed Alberta’s lead and we...

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Are we agreed to move to detail? Mr. Hawkins.

We are at general comments. Are there any other general comments? Is committee agreed there are no further general comments?

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. I did forget to mention to the Minister we’re going to go through all general comments and have you respond at the end. Thank you very much. Mr. Bromley.