Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, three years ago I was mandated to initiate a review of our government’s Student Financial Assistance program with the goal of improving access to post-secondary education for all Northwest Territories residents by reducing barriers and ensuring benefit levels are meeting the needs of students.

I am happy to stand here today and say that we have completed our review, and are now taking steps towards implementing necessary, significant changes to the program to better meet the needs of students.

Media are invited to attend a ceremony celebrating the inductees of the 2023 Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Hall of Fame.

Date: June 1, 2023

Time: 11:00 AM (MST)

Location: Legislative Assembly, Great Hall

Media will be permitted to take photos and video of the ceremony. Please RSVP by 5 p.m. on May 31 by emailing briony_grabke@gov.nt.ca.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) released its 2023-2024 Educator Training Plans today. This marks the third of five steps towards transitioning to an adapted version of British Columbia's Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (JK-12) curriculum.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is proposing significant changes to the Student Financial Assistance Program to increase benefits and reduce barriers. The public is invited to provide feedback on these proposed changes by May 31, 2023.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released 20-year forecasts (2020-2040) for in-demand jobs in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The forecasts enable the GNWT to make informed decisions and adapt our advanced education and training programs, supports and services to better link to the NWT’s labour market needs today and in the future.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking input on a post-secondary education institution application to deliver a degree-granting program in the territory. Vancouver Island University is applying to provide the Rural and Remote Bachelor of Education Program within the Northwest Territories, with a proposed effective date of September 2023.

Amendments to the Child Day Care Act and the Early Learning and Child Care Standards Regulations,  and new Early Learning and Child Care Funding Regulations came into force on May 1, 2023.

The next Quarterly Report on Aurora College Transformation was released by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) today.

Included in this report are updates on the first phase of the Environmental Assessment for Tin Can Hill, Community Learning Centres (CLCs) and Aurora College Organization Design. A section has been added for quick facts as well.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is enhancing the Early Childhood Program Operating Subsidy. As of April 1, 2023, licensed family day home operators are eligible to receive the Early Childhood Program Operating Subsidy for child care spaces filled by their own children between birth to 11 years of age.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking public feedback on the Employment Standards Act (Act).

The realities of work have changed since the last time the Act was comprehensively reviewed. A thorough review of the Act is needed to ensure efficiency, understanding and compliance, as well as to ensure that the legislation is on par with the minimum standards of employment in other Canadian jurisdictions.