Kieron Testart

I have some sympathy for what the Minister has just provided to the House, except that there are only two schools, one school board, that requires Ministerial approval of enrolment. I would hope that she is a bit more in touch with the numbers on this file. Will the Minister commit to reviewing this policy again and, this time, to listening with francophone stakeholders, which was not done the last time? There are major concerns left with this policy. Is the Minister open to another review of the enrolment directive?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke of the directive for the enrolment of students in French language education programs, which, I would submit, is a hangover from a previous time when Ottawa was calling the shots. This seems to be only present in the three territories. Can the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment give us a compelling reason why this is important public policy that must be maintained? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the Chair rise and report progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the Minister is incorrect. This is government policy; it is not a legislative change that would be required. This is something that she could change right away, so I will ask now if the Minister will consider getting rid of this policy altogether? Thank you.

Does the Minister have the current enrolment numbers? Are we close to 85 percent? Is this a live concern that there are students, you know, waiting to flood the francophone schools and completely overwhelm the current capacity?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act. Bill 30 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on October 31, 2018, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review.

To permit time for the legislative drafters to complete the proposed amendments, I would like to advise the House of the committee's wish to extend their review of the bill with the intention of reporting back to the House on or before March 11, 2019.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, in accordance with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps it's not that the mandate is too big, it's that the Minister doesn't have the time to dedicate to all of the commitments under his responsibility. Maybe he should get some help. I am willing to help him. Other Members on this side are willing to help him. We can put forward this legislation. If this commitment isn't needed, the Minister said before that we provide plenty of support, what new support is coming to small businesses in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Why is there no plan? The mandate clearly says, "This government will reduce taxes on small businesses." Why?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize some of my friends from the Canadian Parents for French organization. We have Maggie Hawkes, board member, Jessica Payeur, the executive director, and Wendy Karstand, who has been president of the organization for the last six years and is retiring this year. The success of the organization couldn't have been done without her, and I want to recognize her time with the organization and thank them for being here today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee would like to consider Tabled Document 322-18(3), Main Estimates, 2019-2020, with the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs as the item under consideration for Committee of the Whole today. Thank you.