Provincial Advisory Committee: Secret Meetings - Question Period
MS. CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : My question is for the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. This government is poised to eliminate democratically elected school boards with the stroke of a pen. Also concerning is the fact that the Provincial Advisory Committee, meant to advise the minister on matters related to education, will be meeting in secret. School board meetings are open to the public but that will not be the case for this advisory body of political appointees.
We've seen how well this has served the public interest in health and I question why we'd be making the same mistake in education. Mr. Speaker, will the minister explain how closed door meetings by appointed representatives are in the best interests of our children.
HON. ZACH CHURCHILL « » : As is consistent with any advice that is given to Cabinet, this has been consistent with every single Party that has served on government benches. Advice to Cabinet is considered confidential. That is consistent in the Westminster system and the reason for that is so that people giving advice can do so forthrightly, speak frankly and openly in providing that advice and to protect them, so this is consistent with the Westminster parliamentary system across the Commonwealth and has been consistent practised with every single government that has served on these benches.
MS. CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I am heartened by the commitment of the people across the aisle to democracy and the Westminster system.
Mr. Speaker, over and over again our caucus has raised concerns about the diverse local voices being silenced by this government's education reforms. It is our understanding that the transition team established by the minister will include the school board chairs and the chair of the Council on African Canadian Education.
However, African Nova Scotian school board caucus, the seven members elected by the African Nova Scotians of this province, were not included on the list of those who were asked to put forward designates for this transition team.
Mr. Speaker, the Halifax Regional School Board African Nova Scotian member Archy Beals has said that the caucus independently put forward a list of names to the minister anyway but they have heard no response. Can the minister explain why the elected African Nova Scotian School Board caucus was excluded from the transition team, and will he contact Mr. Beals to address his concern?
MR. CHURCHILL « » : Mr. Speaker, the transition team has not been put together yet. In speaking with the board chairs, they are interested in assisting with the transition, but that of course, won't happen until after the law is passed, and we are entering into the period of transition.
I know that the African Nova Scotian School Board caucus has submitted three names for that transition team, all three of those members will be on the transition team once that transition team is established.
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