Debates of March 27, 2023 (day 150)

Date
March
27
2023
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
150
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, 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 1467-19(2): Aurora College Board of Governors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with the appointment of the new board of governors for Aurora College, can the education Minister explain how this will change executive decisionmaking at Aurora College and with the transformation into a polytechnic university? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So before the board was put back into place, the functions of the board were carried out by the administrator, at the time Mr. Denny Rodgers, and so that is still the process. The board will make the types of decisions that the administrator was making. So those are decisions related to policies, developing policies of the college respecting the administration, operations, programs, and priorities of the college. But in terms of the daytoday operations, the management, that is it still an operational aspect that is handled by the administration. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, if the new board of governors wanted to make a change of direction with where the college is going and say it was different from the college president and senior management wanted, how would that be resolved? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The president works for the board so the board can set the direction of the college. And I hope they do set the direction of the college. I hope they are engaged enough to set that direction. And based on the conversations I've had, I'm sure they will. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, does the board of governors have the ability to veto or overturn a decision by the college president and senior management? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Aurora College Act lays out the responsibilities of the board and the responsibilities and authorities of the president. And it's quite clear I can't get into specific instances as there may be variables, but their roles are quite well defined. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, there are four positions within Aurora College that are currently being borrowed from Fort Smith. But they do not belong but they do belong to Fort Smith, and they must be returned as soon as possible.

Will the Minister commit to work with the newly appointed board of governors and return the four loaned college positions back to Fort Smith? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Aurora College Act states that the Minister is not supposed to get involved in the operations of the college. And I will say that those are positions of the college, not necessarily positions of a municipality or a region. So I'm sure the board will do whatever is best for the college. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.