Alfred Moses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senior management involves workers that we have throughout the Northwest Territories. There's consultations between the head office and the regional offices in terms of positions that are made.

As we said, we looked at entry level jobs to management jobs. We do have directors and senior managers in the regional offices, as well, that communicate with our head office staff. We look at positions throughout the whole Northwest Territories, so there is discussions. As I mentioned, given the confidentiality of the exercise in the reductions, they were conducted by those...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I think that's exactly what we've done through the labour market information report and needs assessment as well as developing that Skills 4 Success Action Plan. We did get a lot of input from industry throughout the Northwest Territories, and, moving forward, we also have the mobility trades trailer in Inuvik that we try to utilize. But I do understand the Member's point and that we need to get some of these training opportunities into the communities, possibly partnering up with industry moving forward.

With this particular project, because it was the length of time...

Given the confidentiality of the reduction exercise, senior management that the department delivered the exercise with the positions as mentioned from entry level to management.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As discussions from yesterday where we had talked about some of the school and learning centres, a lot of our community members that spoke up yesterday talked about the need for learning centres in our community as well, which does get on the needs assessment based on priority. We do have an Aurora College Act and we do want to ensure that our communities also have the opportunities to provide learning outcomes and opportunities for some of our residents that do live in small communities. So we're still in talks with Dechinta and College nordique in terms of working...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the departments look at any kind of reductions within our programs, specifically when it comes to positions in the GNWT, we look at three factors. One is the nature of the position: does the incumbent require specialized training or could the task be delegated to others within the work unit.

Another one is the status of the position; whether it is vacant or not. The third factor that we do take into consideration is risks and impact on program delivery: could the program continue to be delivered with staff that are still within that division.

It's not required. In the past though we have written letters of support for Dechinta to access funding in other areas that there were throughout Canada. On this specific one we thought, because we were putting in an application as well, that it wouldn't be appropriate. Thank you.

Yes. Prior to implementation, actually our CSO staff got very good training, should that anyone that's on income assistance that was concerned about the changes coming forward, that we are going to provide them the information that they need. If the client that the Member is talking about, and the Member herself or any Members of this House, any of the 19 Members that are concerned about the implementation of our changes to the income assistance we'd be glad to give an update; have them sit down with one of our client service officers. As I said, each situation is unique and different and we'd...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do know where the Member's going with this, Dechinta did approach the department for a letter of support. At the time we were looking at some of our own needs and our inventory as well to support some of our programs moving forward through the Aurora College, and knowing that we were coming up with the Skills 4 Success Action Plan and the strategic framework going forward, the 10-year strategic framework going forward to address some of the in-demand jobs, skills and training that was needed. So I know where the Member's going. They did request a letter of support. At...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will continue going on and saying that we haven't heard any concerns since the implementation of the Canada Child Benefit. Leading up to the Canada Child Benefit implementation here in the Northwest Territories, there were some concerns that were going around on Facebook and social media that were brought to our attention. We assured individuals that nothing was going to change; in fact, money was going to go up after August 1st. So, yes, since we have the implementation, we haven't heard any concerns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. Can the Member please repeat his question? Thank you.