Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up on my Member’s statement this afternoon with questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I described the Finnish educational system now recognized, after 30 years of reform, as about the best in the world. It has some neat characteristics that really ring sympathetic bells with many of the Members, I think, because some of these things address the issues we still see as being needed to be addressed. I know the Minister has some of that too.

Will the Minister and his staff have a critical review of this system and consider what...

Just very quickly, there is a very steady and seemingly steep drop in the CMHC repair programs. Could I just request an explanation on that once again? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Very quickly. I appreciate this being brought forward and I will be supporting the motion. This is the sort of thing that both Yukon and Nunavut have. It’s been called for for a long time. We did a review of support for the film industry during the 16th Assembly. Some good improvements were made and this is taking the next logical step that addresses the big gap that remains out there. The SEED program is supportive but what is needed is exactly what’s defined in this motion. I will be supporting it.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the Minister once again. We have indeed had several reviews that have recommended that this funding be extended to adult learning and basic education students. We’ve received $8.6 million new funding to concentrate on upgrading and adult learning. Obviously, we want the intake of these students. It is also obvious that they need shelter and food as much as college and university students. The Minister recognizes these recommendations and mentions that there are many other programs.

Will the Minister act on the recommendations of the SFA and the ALBE program reviews...

I appreciate the Minister. I know he has mentioned this before. I think I’m starting to get some understanding of what he’s saying here. I think that’s important information to have, an important perspective. Obviously, it still leaves a considerable number of people on the waiting list.

Just to back off to sort of a larger-scale situation, I think it would be really good to try and have our fingers strongly on the pulse of where our people are at in terms of being on waiting lists across the territory. Will the Minister take on to come up with some sort of automated mechanism whereby we can...

Certainly parking has been an issue and I appreciate the work being done to address that. Part of it seems to be related to trespassers using the facility for parking while they’re at illegal facilities on the lake. I’m wondering if we’re able to resolve that situation at all. Also, the park is a bit odd in that there are residents who own lots there as well as some that lease lots there and, obviously, have to park in the park. I think the proposal is to start charging them for parking. That seems a bit odd to me. I’m wondering if that situation has been discussed and whether we’ll hear some...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to focus my questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Last year CanNor announced $6.8 million in support of adult literacy and basic education programs by Aurora College, with $2.5 million earmarked for this fiscal year. Promised programs included hiring of adult learning basic education instructors, trades access program funding, community basic education learning opportunities and a focus on short courses towards essential skills.

Can the Education Minister give a summary of programs delivered this year and whether all the...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I’m just wondering, there seems to be a bit of a de-emphasis on Homeownership Entry Level Program funding and maybe a re-emphasis on the Market Housing Program. Could I just get the reasoning for those adjustments?

Thanks. I think the Minister has my question, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During this Education Week the buzz on the street is about the possible move towards educational reform. I’d like to inform the discussion based on the experience of Finnish educator Dr. Pasi Sahlberg.

When the Finns began retooling their education system 30 years ago, they didn’t set out to be the best, but today it’s one of the most successful public education systems in the world. They just set out to make schools the best possible place for children.

Finnish education is based on three principles: all education is paid by the state, from preschool to primary through...