Alfred Moses

It was actually up to the parents choosing up until this fiscal year, but moving forward I'd ask the Member if we have families that are concerned in Aklavik to go and speak to the teacher. If it's not resolved with the teacher, to speak with the principal and the last resort is bring it to the superintendent, but we will speak with the Beaufort Delta Education Council about this as it is a concern and we do have two communities, Aklavik and Inuvik, that can run into that issue in years to come.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, we do have that website that we launched. I know that all departments are working to get this out internationally. We just had some very good success in getting some businesses from out of the country come up to the Northwest Territories and start-up businesses here, in Yellowknife, as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since I've been in the position, I've been to a couple of FTP meetings where the concerns were brought forward of having skilled workers meeting the indemand jobs, particularly for each jurisdiction. The Northwest Territories is no different, so, when we're looking at our nominee program, we want to make sure that we're bringing people in to meet the needs of the business community when they can't find workers locally or even nationally; that, if we do bring in immigrants to fill these gaps in the jobs, that they are actually skilled workforce to meet those indemand...

Once the strategic plan is done and ready for review, we'll see what kind of space is needed for the program services that are going to be offered in the next academic year. But we can't make those decisions until we see that strategic plan.

Under the work that has been done by the department in terms of looking at Yellowknife campuses, somewhere in the amount of over $60 million. It will change as we move forward because costs for building supplies usually go up, somewhere around those figures. Like I said, it has to go through the process. It is in the 20-year needs assessment, as well as looking at the strategic plan, waiting for that, to see what space and needs are required.

We always look to see what are the best practices throughout other jurisdictions; however, we just released a labour market information report and the Skills 4 Success Strategic Framework and Action Plan which is going to help guide this strategic plan moving forward with the Aurora College in developing their programs. We should have something in place after all the consultations and engagements are done. We also want to utilize more of our learning centres. We have 23 learning centres in the community that we want to utilize a lot better to get the training, the skill developments and help...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we just finished our capital planning budget, there are a lot of priorities that are out there and needs right from our smallest community to here in Yellowknife. We have 23 learning centres in some of our communities throughout the North. We have three campuses that we feel that the space can be used a little bit better. At this time, I won't direct my department to put it in the next capital budget. We are going to wait for that strategic plan to come before all Members of this Assembly and look at what space and needs are needed here in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to strengthen culture and heritage in the NWT by working with stakeholders to update the 2010 NWT Aboriginal Languages Plan: A Shared Responsibility.

As we all know, there are nine official Aboriginal languages spoken throughout the Northwest Territories. Most of these languages are in a critical state and in real danger of disappearing over the next few decades. As our territory loses its elders, we find ourselves in a serious situation with fewer proficient, fluent speakers...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have many programs within our department. Seniors could also get assessed under the Income Assistance Program, where they might be eligible for a full tank of fuel twice a year or a cord of wood twice a year. Those options are available for the seniors that might not qualify. But, if any seniors don't qualify, I also encourage them to do a reassessment to make sure that they're assessed properly and that they might actually make the needs. If they don't make the requirements under the Senior Home Heating Subsidy, then they can also apply under the Income Assistance...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's roughly about just over 500 every year. The more information and more awareness that we get out there to seniors in our communities, we can expect to see possibly numbers rising. As I also mentioned, we're doing a review of the Senior Home Heating Subsidy, and we're looking at thresholds, we're looking at zones, we're also looking at fuel allocations. When that review is done, there's potential that we might even see even more seniors who can actually access that program, so it's a benefit to our seniors' population throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you...