Charles Dent

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We would have to see evidence that there was significant demand for the program to talk about a pilot project such as the one that the Member talks about. I think I can demonstrate to the Member that we are prepared to consider pilot projects, because in the Tlicho region the department is working with the Tlicho Community Services Agency to bring in a Teacher Education Program where we are trying to bring people into the field of teaching who will be comfortable speaking their own language. That is the first step in making sure we have better language services...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it’s worth noting that in 2001 this worker, through the worker's advisor, approached the governance council and asked that a ruling of the appeals tribunal be reviewed. The governance council at that time agreed that it needed to be reviewed and it was the governance council itself that directed the appeals tribunal to rehear the case, but the appeals tribunal felt that it wasn’t appropriate for it to rehear the case and, based on that, it got bounced back. So the worker followed the process of going to the courts and having the court rule that the appeals...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Countries around the world will celebrate International Women’s Week from Sunday, March 5 to Saturday, March 11, 2005, with the highlight being International Women’s Day on March 8th.

There are many challenges in our work to advance women’s equality. Through the dedication and commitment of organizations such a the Status of Women Council, Native Women’s Association, the NWT Coalition Against Family Violence and a large number of dedicated people, much good work has taken place. We have seen the development and implementation of the NWT Family Violence...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to do that, it would take legislative change because the SFA Act stipulates that support is only provided to post-secondary students through that program. Just in terms of the overall changes to our regulations of policies and the legislation, I think that would be too time consuming. I’m trying to move forward with something that would respond more quickly to what I see as an important need that we should address.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had received an e-mail message from one of those groups suggesting that very thing. It is certainly something that could be considered. Typically the past practice of this in our government has been that pan-territorial organizations are consulted, but that doesn’t mean that other nominees can’t be considered. So, yes, I guess we could consider any nominee that comes in from the business community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly I will request the governance council to consider that situation or that position and ask that they, at their next meeting, consider it. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, this is not a draft policy at this point. It was adopted by the governance council in 2004 and I would point out that the governance council is made up of stakeholders from the people in the Northwest Territories. Business representatives, employer representatives, employee representatives make up the governance council. The answer to the direct question is, yes, I will make sure the Member and all Members get copies of the policy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the time this case was taken to the courts and the policy that applied to the case goes back to before there was a clear policy in place from the WCB. The WCB has, since the Martin case in the Atlantic provinces in 2004, adopted a policy around chronic pain. What they have done since adopting that policy is direct their council to approach the courts to ensure that that policy is in compliance with the Charter and all court decisions. They have committed, at their most recent meeting, to revise the policy if anything is found wanting in it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think everybody’s been recognized except for one person. I’d like to recognize a close friend, Ms. Janet Marshall, who is one of the instructors with the course.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the funds identified in the budget that we’ve just passed in order to do a special project like that, but I’m certainly prepared to advance this. I agree with the Member that it’s an area that needs to be dealt with and I am looking to try and deal with it through the business planning process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.