N.W.T. School Boards Face Funding Uncertainty for Education Assistants

School boards in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) are grappling with uncertainty regarding funding for education assistants as the academic year progresses. More than a month into the school year, the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council (BDDEC) is currently covering the expenses for over 40 education assistants, previously funded through Jordan’s Principle, according to acting superintendent Krista Cudmore. She noted the financial strain, stating, “It’s had a significant impact on our budget.” The BDDEC has managed to maintain its programming without cutting services, but the lack of clarity around future funding remains a pressing concern.

In late August, the N.W.T. government announced it would provide up to $14 million to support education assistants this school year, a move prompted by the federal government’s decision in February to cease funding requests under Jordan’s Principle for off-reserve schools, except under specific circumstances. Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland highlighted that last year, the funding facilitated the employment of 205 education assistants across the territory, indicating that the new allocation could potentially cover all those positions.

As of September 19, the education department informed CBC News that education bodies could expect updates regarding funding requests “within the coming week.” However, recent communications confirmed that these requests remain under review, leaving school boards in a state of limbo.

Eligibility Criteria and Financial Constraints

To qualify for the territorial funding, education bodies must first utilize any existing surplus for education assistants, a stipulation that has raised concerns among some school boards. The government defends this requirement as a means to ensure “the most prudent and responsible use of public funds.” The Sahtu Divisional Education Council (SDEC), which chose not to apply for territorial funding, cited the surplus condition as a barrier. Chair Heather Bourassa explained that the SDEC relied on Jordan’s Principle funding for more than just the 29 education assistants it funded last year; it also covered counseling services, culture programs, speech pathology, and transportation.

Bourassa expressed frustration over the SDEC’s funding appeals being denied since the federal changes were implemented. “We’re going forward with very little certainty,” she stated, emphasizing that the needs of children in the Sahtu region have not diminished. The current situation poses a significant risk to essential resources if funding remains elusive.

The Mackenzie Mountain School in Norman Wells exemplifies the challenges faced by districts dependent on previously assured funding. YK1, another educational body, has reported that without Jordan’s Principle funding, it would be unable to rehire approximately 79 education assistants. The board applied for territorial funding in early September, detailing how it has utilized its limited surplus to support various unfunded positions.

Calls for Federal Review of Jordan’s Principle

N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson and Indigenous leaders are urging the federal government to reassess its changes to the administration of Jordan’s Principle. During a press conference in Ottawa, Simpson highlighted the unique financial constraints faced by the territory, noting, “We don’t have the tax base to raise revenues to supplement these sort of clawbacks of funding.” He pointed out that many local communities are predominantly Indigenous and would be eligible for Jordan’s Principle funding if classified similarly to reserves in southern Canada.

Jordan’s Principle serves as a child-first principle designed to ensure First Nations children receive necessary services without delay while disputes over funding responsibility are resolved later. The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, which played a pivotal role in establishing Jordan’s Principle as a legal requirement, has urged the federal government to reverse its recent policy changes, arguing they exacerbate existing inequalities.

In response to concerns raised by community members, Mandy Gull-Masty, the Minister of Indigenous Services, stated she has initiated a review to address the challenges faced in accessing Jordan’s Principle. Although she did not provide details about the review’s timeline or outcomes, she committed to ongoing engagement with First Nations leadership.

Bourassa believes that the issues surrounding Jordan’s Principle highlight a broader trend of underfunding in the N.W.T. “It’s just been… kind of eroding over the years,” she remarked. As school boards navigate this uncertain funding landscape, the ramifications for educational resources and support services for children in the region continue to grow.