Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke these words some time ago, but they bear repeating, and I’m going to quote.

“Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard a lot about fracking in the last two weeks. I haven’t said much about it, but now feel the time has come and I must add my views. I’ve been following the statements and exchanges in the House, the media reports and so on. The Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee has been at the forefront of the fracking issue, doing the research, considering the pros and cons, monitoring Sahtu exploration and development. I’ve tried to stay abreast of the info...

Thanks to the Minister for telling me the information I already know. That’s not my question. My question was I’m hearing that schools will not be getting any new funding when they start junior kindergarten in 2014-15. Why is that, if it’s supposed to be coming?

On another page titled, “How Will We Pay for Junior Kindergarten,” the statement is, “All education authorities are being asked to implement junior kindergarten with existing funding.” That seems to, again, contradict that they will get funding when the program rolls out.

One of the things that are required is resources for new programs...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I’d like to thank the Minister for tabling the fact sheet yesterday. There’s a lot of information in there. I think there are a few opinions, as well, but I would like to ask him a few questions about some of the statements in those sheets.

On the page that says “What Will JK Cost,” It goes on to say the total cost to offer junior kindergarten is projected to be $7.4 million annually. The cost will be absorbed by education authorities. On another page, the School Funding Framework page...

Thanks to my colleagues. I must point to the British Columbia Women’s Campaign School held annually with high-powered presenters, expert women speakers, drawing participants from all over BC and even across Canada. The school is open to women running for any office and to women interested in working on or for a political campaign. The NWT Status of Women Council could be mandated and funded to reach out to do work to increase the participation of women in elected positions, something that happens in Newfoundland. They could establish a mentorship program and/or set up online resources for...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s commitment to give me the information on resources, but again, I am hearing that schools will not get funding in 2014-15 when they start the program and I didn’t hear an answer from the Minister on that.

The Minister talks about the pupil-teacher ratio and, yes, we are still under the 16 to 1 pupil-teacher ratio in most cases.

I would like to know from the Minister: What is our current pupil-teacher ratio and once we have implemented junior kindergarten and after all three years, what will our PTR become following the budget cuts and the...

To the Minister, thank you. I thought I heard the Minister say the funding will flow when the program first starts. I would appreciate him reconfirming that in his next answer. If that’s the case, that’s great, that’s what it should do, but I have been hearing from more than just the Yellowknife boards that they will not be getting any new dollars, and this is coming from their schools as well. They will not be getting any new dollars for junior kindergarten when it starts, for instance, in this next school year, September 2014-15.

So, Mr. Minister, why am I hearing from schools that there will...

Thank you, Madam Chair. We wish to consider Committee Report 6-17(5), then Tabled Document 93-17(5) and Bills 8 and 9 in that order. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 93-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2014-2015, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 93-17(5) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to provide a little background to this motion so that people know why I’m bringing this motion forward, why we’re debating something that is before the House of Commons in Ottawa.

Bill C-583 is a private member’s bill sponsored by Mr. Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, and it is soon up for second reading. If passed, it will amend the Criminal Code of Canada to (1) add a definition of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to the Criminal Code, and (2) to establish a procedure for assessing individuals involved in the criminal justice system who are...