Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I actually do have a question just to provide some context for discussion in the clause-by-clause. I appreciate all the perspectives I’ve heard so far and the Minister’s comments.

My question is: Does the Public Service Act, as it currently is, provide for the Minister to be able to directly appoint an employee into a position that is already filled, thereby displacing the incumbent? Is that ability provided for in the current act? Just to be sure, I’m asking, does the current version of the Public Service Act, which we’re proposing to amend here, currently provide the...

Because this is so important, I am going to repeat. I think the Premier was busy when I made this question. What I’m saying is these are very serious complaints out there right now. Unsupervised three and four-year-olds. Very serious to communities, very serious to parents and so on.

Will the Premier ensure that there is a process in place to deal with those complaints effectively? Also, will he deal with them and get back to this House by next Thursday on what’s being done about this situation? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question following up on the Premier’s statement on Junior Kindergarten made yesterday in the House.

Yesterday the Premier committed to “reach out to all other education authorities, Aboriginal Head Start, licenced daycare and home operators” in their consultation regarding Junior Kindergarten.

I am sure the department of ECE would say they have already done this, but what will be different this time around? Will the Aboriginal Head Start and the other leading, successful phase four program operators be taking a lead role in the communities where...

Mr. Speaker, new responsibilities without new resources are a recipe for failure. The proposed review of JK should, therefore, focus on all of these aspects. Specifically, evaluation and subsequent planning should recognize the need for small group sizes, qualified and well-compensated early care and education personnel, development of warm and caring relationships, achievement of a language-rich environment, developmentally appropriate programs and safe physical settings. With this focus and all parties working together in true partnership, we can provide the best future for all children of...

Have there been any cases in the last year or two that the Minister is aware of where we have done this sort of thing, double filling positions?

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks for that response. I think that sums up my understanding in the area that I needed it.

The second thing I’d like to ask about is I note in the summary of the bill, if I can just quote that starting in the middle: “to permit employees identified for layoff to be placed in vacant positions without disrupting their continuous employment status.” I know the intent here of the Minister – and he must, I’m sure, be in line with that – is to make the appointments into vacant positions. That is what the summary of the bill says. But in fact it does not say that in the...

No.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Premier for that. The addition of a school year to the existing staff who are not trained in the specialty of early care and education is unfair to both teachers and young children.

Will the Premier commit to ensuring a plan and implementation to develop a team of dedicated early care and education personnel with the specialized skills required to properly deliver the early childhood programs they need? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To cut to the chase for the record: imprudent, premature. Thank you.

I should be clear that I support the concept of an Intergovernmental Council if it’s transparent and clear. It’s not transparent and clear, and the Premier’s minions do not understand, because they’re telling us that the Intergovernmental Council is setting priorities which are the responsibility of this House. That’s the example I raised.

As an elected representative of the people, when I look at the Premier’s push to give away and limit our right to authority without any democratic review still, I have concerns about the opportunity to meet the expectations of the public for MLA involvement...