Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member's statement, there's very serious concerns in Fort Simpson and in the Deh Cho education region. Mr. Speaker, the district educational authority, the district educational council, have all made recommendation along the following lines: Immediate administrative action to remove or reassign the individuals in question pending investigation, an independent review of the incidents of leaderships practices, trauma-informed support for affected staff and students, and inclusive leadership that reflects community values, fosters trust, and prioritizes safety and accountability.
My question today is, will the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment honour the recommendations of these duly elected boards and implement them immediately? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is due process that needs to take place with anything that has to do with public servants in this territory. While we do have an Education Act, the Education Act also has clauses that points to the Public Service Act, and we do have a Northwest Territories Teachers' Association who has a collective agreement. We need to make sure that we are operating with due process in the territory while respecting the residents of the territory as well. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I hear what the Minister is saying but what about the due process of parents? Of students? Of the elected board, so the people who ran to solve problems and are being told they're not allowed; what does the Minister have to say to them? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a responsibility on all of us to ensure that we have healthy relationships across this territory. We are a small territory, and we are all very intimately connected and we all, I would like to believe, at the end of the day have the common goal of the success and prosperity of Northerners and our northern children at heart. I am using the tools that I have at my disposable, Mr. Speaker. I am listening to many of those DEA members who are also parents, listening to DEC members, and have never been in a position to not have those conversations. These conversations are incredibly important and finding a path forward is my focus. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, talk is not what these individuals are asking for, that these elected officials are asking for; it's action. So let's put the staffing issues aside. Will the Minister commit to the other things that they've raised, an independent review of these incidents, trauma-informed support for the affected parties, and to instill inclusive leadership within the region? If she doesn't want to talk about one issue, can she talk about the other three because talk is cheap, and this is -- the community has run out of patience for this. They need to see real action. The divisions are deep. It's time to heal them. We need action from this Minister now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I hear the Member as far as, you know, talk is cheap, and action is crucial, and we are taking action. There's due process underway right now, and we are honouring those processes. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Deh Cho.
