DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (Hansard) - Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Question Period - J. Horgan    (system requirements)

J. Horgan: The Premier made a promise and a commitment to first nations learners across B.C. in 2006. He made it again in 2007, and he made it again just last week - that he would attempt to close the gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal learners in British Columbia.

So my question is a simple one. It's to the Premier: how can you keep that commitment to first nations students in British Columbia by closing Koksilah Elementary School in the Cowichan Valley - 98 percent aboriginal students? Ninety-eight percent of those students are learning culture and language every day in the Hul'qumi'num tradition. How do you meet your objectives by closing that school?

Hon. S. Bond: Certainly on this side of the House we recognize that one of the most important things we can do for aboriginal people in this province is to actually look at jurisdiction in this province.

I am proud to say that, working with the federal government, with aboriginal leaders and with this government, we brought to conclusion a tripartite agreement that had been years and years in the making. The other side of the House wasn't actually able to make that happen. We did, and we're going to continue to provide for aboriginal students in this province in an unprecedented way.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

J. Horgan: It's a shame that rhetoric doesn't pay the rent, because that minister is expert at it.
My question was to the Premier. My question was to the leader of the executive council, the individual who has said to first nations people across this land that he will stand up for them. Reconciliation and accommodation - those are the buzzwords. That's the rhetoric.

In the Cowichan Valley 98 percent of the students at Koksilah Elementary School are learning aboriginal language and culture for the first time. For the first time in generations the people in the Cowichan Valley, the first nations there, have some faith and comfort that the school system is working for them. So how do you square the circle when you close the school where they're getting comfort, where they're getting culture and where they're getting language? How does that meet your promises?

Hon. S. Bond: Let's be clear. Maybe the member opposite should have a discussion with the Leader of the Opposition, who was a school trustee, because in fact, decisions that are made at the local level are made by locally elected school boards.
Let's be clear. On this side of the House we actually believe that locally elected trustees look at the circumstances in their districts and make those choices. The member opposite knows well that that is in front of the school district at the moment, that it is a decision that we will make.

But I simply want to point out that for the first time in British Columbia, we are seeing aboriginal completion rates rise in this province. We're going to continue....

Interjections.

Hon. S. Bond: I can assure you that we have a goal on this side of the House, and I can assure you of this. We will close the gap for aboriginal people in this province. We're going to work hard to do it. I'll tell you, it would be much more helpful if, occasionally, the members of the opposite side of the House would vote in favour of something that indicates they would support that.