Joe Handley is stepping down as the chair of Aurora College’s board of governors.
Caitlin Cleveland, the NWT’s education minister, announced former NWT premier Handley’s departure from the role in a Wednesday press release.
“I want to sincerely thank Mr Handley for his contributions to Aurora College during this important time,” she stated. “His leadership helped strengthen governance and guide the institution as it moves toward becoming a polytechnic university. The GNWT remains committed to ensuring strong leadership and positioning the college for long-term success in this next phase.”
Handley told Cabin Radio he is leaving his role as chair a year early as he and the minister “are on different tracks.”
“She offered me some alternatives but I chose not to take them and it’s better probably that I step aside,” he said.
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Handley said he and Cleveland differ in their approach, pointing to the college’s decision to shut down community learning centres as an issue that “broke the camel’s back.”
“My approach with the college is we need to set priorities and give funding to those that are highest priority, and the lowest priority, let them go,” he explained, adding: “You can’t please everybody all the time.”
“The minister, on the other hand … she sort-of says, ‘Well, why can’t you just promote the college?’ I said you can’t fund everything,” he continued.
“She just wants me to be positive, almost like a Pollyanna approach to things, and I say I can’t operate that way.”
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The college and its board of governors have recently faced criticism from MLAs and some members of the public over the decision to close 19 community learning centres across the territory.
Handley and college president Angela James have stood behind the decision, citing low enrolment and high cost.
Handley said he believes that funding could be better spent on developing new college-level programs.
He said some of the biggest challenges Aurora College is facing are low enrolment, housing shortages and financial issues, which he has previously raised to MLAs.
His advice to the next chairperson is “to have a good chat” with Cleveland and “make sure that you can work within her terms.”
Handley was appointed as chairperson of Aurora College’s board of governors for a three-year term in March 2023 on the recommendation of RJ Simpson, who was then the education minister.
The board is part of the college’s three-party governance system, which includes an academic council and Indigenous knowledge holders council.
The 13-member board is responsible for the long-term vision of the college, monitoring and driving implementation of the college’s mission and values, and oversight of college facilities, finances and risk management. The board also serves an intermediary role between the college and the NWT’s education minister.
Cleveland said an advertisement will soon be issued seeking people interested in joining the board.
Once the vacant seat is filled, Cleveland will recommend that one of the members of the board be appointed as chair by the NWT’s commissioner.
