Debates of October 18, 2022 (day 122)

Date
October
18
2022
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
122
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong.
Topics
Statements

Question 1191-19(2): Education in Small Communities

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, through this education fiasco, I guess, we're forgetting about the district education authorities or councils in the small communities. I've been speaking to my DEA chairman for the last couple days, and they don't know what's going on in education. They're not provided any information. I think I made a statement about this before, how the DEAs and the supports they need, because I find that it's very lacking. They don't have workshops for them for roles and responsibilities or any new documents that come out, like performance measures like the Minister alludes to. They don't know that stuff. So they're asking me to meet with them. So I'm asking a few of my colleagues from the small communities to reach out to their DEAs also, see if they're running into problems. And if any that are listening, we can pass the message to their district education council that they can reach out to me. I'd appreciate that very much.

Mr. Speaker, when a business is running, the businesses usually get a general financial audit done when their business when they run into problems or facing bankruptcy, they ask for a forensic audit. So they dig deeper and find out the problems that are in there. And with the education in the small communities, we can look at it that way. The Auditor General did their broad general reports and recommendations and whatnot, and we can look at perhaps going deeper into the small schools' education systems by having something like an audit, a forensic audit. I'm wondering if the Minister is would warm up to that idea? Mahsi.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has identified a number of things that are issues. He speaks about data collection, the availability of data. He talks about the ability to audit education bodies. These are all things that we are proposing to change by amending the Education Act. So the Member has great suggestions, and I'm definitely open to them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister for that answer, and I'll hold him to many things, as I'm not done with small communities' education fiasco, and I appreciate that. Mahsi.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you. Minister responsible for ECE.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I just wanted to take this opportunity to clarify. I've never claimed to be a lawyer. I've never said that all students go to university. What I said is in Hansard yesterday and I apologize if I appeared as though I was showboating. I will say I was getting a little frustrated but I never intend to showboat. I think about an elder I spoke with in your constituency, Mr. Speaker, when I was there, and they were talking about how they watch the Legislative Assembly and they appreciate the level of decorum in here, and I always try to maintain that. So I apologize to the House if I appeared to be showboating. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.