Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 17/99) - With the passing of the territory's new budget in the assembly, the heated debate on education funding has also come to a close -- for now.

MLAs wrapped up discussion on funding for Education, Culture and Employment and approved the budget bill late Wednesday. But Michael Miltenberger says the matter has not been dropped.

"It's a relief to have this public, sort of formal icing-on-the-cake, part of the budget finished," the education minister said on Thursday, "but I think it's pretty clear for me and for everybody in the Northwest Territories that the education debate is not over and will continue in other quarters."

Before the assembly concluded the debate, MLAs made further calls for money to combat what's being called a crisis in Northern education.

Among the most vocal proponents for additional funding was Jane Groenewegen, who submitted a report by a Hay River Parent Focus Group on education and letters from Hay River educator Pat Burnstad and the Diamond Jenness Parents' Advisory Committee.

In a last-ditch effort Tuesday, the regular members passed Roy Erasmus' motion for $5 million to be found for special needs training. But, having already made clear there's little chance of finding additional money this year, the entire cabinet abstained from the vote.

Witness to the proceedings was a clearly exasperated Pat Thomas, president of the NWT Teachers' Association.

"They haven't cut the education budget, but the fact is there's more children in the system and the teachers are expected to make do," she said. "I think it's time to start telling teachers to stop subsidizing the system by working extra hours for very little recognition."

Thomas said she was particularly disappointed because the association began its promotion campaign more than a year ago and because the recently released Minister's Forum on Education made such positive recommendations -- both to little effect.

"Quite frankly, the government is just deflecting the issue," she said. "I think next year they should put education first on their agenda for budget debate -- there are no excuses for this."

But Miltenberger said Wednesday that the department will hunt for more money, adding that he's on his way to the Mackenzie Delta region and plans to meet with boards, educators and parents across the territory.

"It's to give people the courtesy of letting them know I'm aware of their concerns...because we need more money is no reason to go into limbo," he said. "We have to move ahead, and that is going to be my message."

Revenues by source

Federal transfers

• Formula financing grant -- $498.9 million (81.8 per cent of overall revenue)
• Other transfer payments -- $53.7 million (8.8 per cent of overall revenue)

• Personal income tax -- $16 million
• Corporate income tax -- $2.7 million
• Fuel tax -- $3.6 million
• Property taxes and school levies -- $3 million
• Tobacco tax -- $6.1 million
• Payroll tax -- $3.9 million
• Insurance taxes -- $300,000
• Liquor Commission revenues -- $1.9 million
• Other territorial revenues -- $20 million

Expenditures by department

Operations and maintenance

• Legislative Assembly -- $9.7 million (2 per cent)
• Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs -- $7.7 million (1 per cent)
• Finance and Administration -- $27.5 million (5 per cent)
• Human Resources -- $10.8 million (2 per cent)
• Justice -- $37 million (7 per cent)
• Public Works, Technical Services and Telecommunications -- $67.1 million (12 per cent)
• Community Government, Housing and Transportation -- $97.3 million (18 per cent)
• Culture, Language, Elders and Youth -- $6.3 million (1 per cent)
• Education -- $132.1 million (24 per cent)
• Health and Social Services -- $117.4 million (22 per cent)
• Sustainable Development -- $32 million (6 per cent)

Total O&M and Capital expenditures are $600.1 million Fiscal position

• Total revenues $610.1 million
• O&M expenditures $545.1 million
• Capital expenditures $55 million
• Total expenditures $600.1 million
• Contingency reserve $10 million
• Surplus (Deficit) -- $0