Bob Bromley

Does committee agree that Bill 8 is ready for third reading?

---Bill 8 as a whole approved for third reading

Thank you, committee, and thank you, Minister. I will ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort the witnesses from the House. Mrs. Groenewegen.

We’ll proceed with the clause by clause. To do that we will turn to page 1. Does committee agree to clause 1 through 5?

---Clauses 1 through 57 inclusive approved

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. I would ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

I’d like to ask the Minister to please introduce his witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. I’d like to ask the chairman of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure if he has comments. Mr. Ramsay.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. Committee has agreed to deal with Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act. I’d like to ask Minister Robert McLeod if he has opening remarks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on my questions to the Minister of ECE.

I just want to start by saying that I appreciate the Minister’s commitment to update Social Programs on what he’s hearing on the Aboriginal student achievement review, but that’s not what I was asking. What I am seeking specifically, recognizing that true early childhood development can be the cornerstone and perhaps the most important cornerstone of this achievement initiative, will the Minister commit to offer, at the earliest opportunity, a briefing on how the two reviews, ASA and early childhood, will be...

I certainly agree that these are two very important processes and will result in important documents. My concern is the schedules do not permit the integration that’s needed. Again, I didn’t hear the Minister mention daycares, day homes, child care centres, Healthy Families program coordinators, family literacy experts. Will the Minister commit to involving all of these early childhood providers and stakeholders before making any decisions under the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initative related to early childhood development for children aged zero to six?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are in follow-up to my Member’s statement earlier and directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I stated in my Member’s statement I have questions regarding the Minister’s vision for promoting Aboriginal student achievement through a seamless transition from early childhood development programs. I’m particularly distressed in question period to hear him state to my colleague Mr. Jacobson that the department is finalizing the package on Aboriginal student achievement. This is well before we had the insights of early childhood...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a society we need to cultivate and promote our strong northern candidates for positions of leadership in education. Through its Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative, ECE is placing top priority on improving the academic performance of Aboriginal students, and rightly so. Grade standings, competencies, and graduation rates among Aboriginal students remain unacceptably low in comparison with non-Aboriginal students across the NWT. Here in Yellowknife 50 percent of our students are Aboriginal.

Regional consultations note that strong teaching and program...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 9-16(6), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2011-2012, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 9-16(6) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Mahsi.