Debates of November 1, 2024 (day 37)

Date
November
1
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
37
Speaker
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong.
Topics
Statements

Question 422-20(1): Aurora College Transformation into Polytechnique

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate the opportunity to ask one more question -- or maybe more, who knows?

Mr. Speaker, the polytech continues to be a significant concern in Yellowknife and they view it as a territorial institution, not just a Yellowknife issue. But because I live here, I get asked about it regularly by people I see at the grocery store, etcetera.

Mr. Speaker, let's start off first with is it the intent of the government to ensure that the push forward on the initiative of a polytech, and can the Minister elaborate on some timelines as how she sees it rolling out or developing? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. And this is a different set of questions.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the board of governors is currently working on a new set of timelines for the transformation and once those are finalized, those will become public. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe the Minister can speak to what the timelines actually mean when they refer to transformation. Because when I tell the public they're transforming, nobody really knows what that means. And definitions and wording mean everything hence can the Minister explain what transforming from the intent of an Aurora College into a polytech means in a manner that the public can appreciate, because a lot of people are really confused by that definition. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the timeline of the transformation has everything from new legislation that would be polytechnic university legislation. It has a new funding formula for Aurora College. And it has things like very program-specific things like, you know, when different programs will become available through the college. Thank you.

Again, I view this issue as a territorial issue. And I can appreciate the stress of my colleagues outside of Yellowknife that may view it from their point of view. It is a territorial institution to help grow the North, Mr. Speaker. So I guess maybe my next question is built around a dashboard question.

Can the Minister request that Aurora College develop a dashboard on their website to communicate the steps of the transition, be it the elements of what it means, how they process it, and that way the public has been idea. Because, frankly, Mr. Speaker, Northerners think this initiative's dead every time it goes away, and they don't know what's happening or don't see it and certainly don't feel it. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Aurora College transformation has a very detailed website. The one thing I will note is that the dates associated with the timeline need to be updated. But it does have a website that outlines everything that needs to happen. It has GANT charts. It has timelines with all the details of all the different steps, who is responsible for those steps. Three of the remaining transformation outlines include the GNWT. Those would be things like the legislation that I was referring to. And then there are some that are definitely under the purview of Aurora College. So that does exist already and certainly will be something that will be updated with new timelines as soon as that information is available. This website will also contain things like the updated mandate document, both here on the transformation site that is on the GNWT's website and also on Aurora College's website as well. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.