It is my pleasure to speak today about the recent accomplishments of staff from community governments and other community and regional organizations who have achieved program completion through the School of Community Government.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs’ School of Community Government works with community governments and other national and territorial partners to design programs, write curriculum and schedule courses that provide meaningful theory and practical experiences to be used by students when they return to their workplace.

Since the School of Community Government was first established in 1999 as a response to training needs identified by community government and aboriginal organizations, more than 2,700 students, mostly community government staff, have taken part in training. Each year, the school offers approximately 100 courses in 15 broad program areas in communities throughout the Northwest Territories.

At the 2007 annual program completion ceremony held on April 12th, a total of 32 students of the School of Community Government were honoured, six students received their occupational certification as community finance officers and 26 received their completion certificate in the areas of land administration, community finance, community firefighter, firefighter instructor level one, administration, recreation facility operations or bylaw enforcement.

A significant highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the first School of Community Government program completion certificate for our water treatment plant operator to Ms. Mary Louise Nitsiza from Behchoko. This is a remarkable achievement for both Ms. Nitsiza and for the community government of Behchoko which supported her throughout the courses and exams. Six students received their occupational certificate as community finance officers under the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupations Act. This means there are now 18

community finance officers with occupational certification who are able to work in community governments. Occupational certification provides community government employees with a recognition of their competence in the skills and knowledge needed to perform their finance duties.

The program completion ceremony is an important milestone for the community government staff who meet the many challenges that face adult students in the Northwest Territories. This is the culmination of several years of work during which time students sacrifice time with family, time at work and their leisure hours to attend classes. The ceremony was an important opportunity to recognize this dedication and celebrate the successes achieved by these dedicated community government staff.

In closing, I would like to congratulate the students of the School of Community Government and all the community governments for supporting their employees and preparing for the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause