Charles Dent

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I have already talked to the board chairs of all the DECs about this kind of programming. We have had a number of DECs that have implemented on-the-land programming as part of their regular educational program. Lutselk’e, in the last year, has had a very strong program. There have been a number of other ones. I know that there will be more in the coming school year. So that is an approach that is already welcomed and supported by the department. We encourage the Sahtu DEC to work with families and communities to explore the opportunities for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is absolutely correct. Right now, spring breaks occur at different times of the year for different school district education councils. A lot of councils will take into account what cultural and on-the-land activities they could participate in and will set their spring breaks to reflect those. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, May 27, 2005, I will move that Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Education Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is correct. One of the reasons that we have DEAs and DECs is to allow that sort of local control. We expect that the school year will reflect what the communities and the families in the region want and expect and need to make sure that their cultures and traditions are reflected in the schools. So, yes, the school dates should reflect that. One of the other ways to do it would be not just by setting different dates for spring breaks, but would be, as some communities do, starting the school year close to the end of July or the very beginning of August, and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, Mr. Speaker. The only requirement that an education authority has, as stipulated in the Education Act, is that it sets out the number of instructional minutes that the students must receive. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled The Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 7-15(3), Report on the Review of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s Annual Report, 2002-2003. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s always something we could take a look at. About seven years ago, Mr. Speaker -- maybe not that long, five or six years ago -- there was a forum that was empowered to review the Student Financial Assistance program and provide the Minister of the day with a number of recommendations. One of the specific directions they were given was to provide advice on to whom or what sorts of programs should be supported through student financial assistance. They held a number of public hearings and invited people from every community in the Northwest Territories to attend...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can certainly consider putting extra money to support students to access programs into the business plan and take a look at how much support we have for that approach. I am prepared next week, when Mr. Scott is here, to raise the issue with the Minister. I would hope that the federal government would recognize their responsibility and live up to their responsibilities by putting some money into the program to deal with the current demands just from status people and that they would also fund the program so that Metis people could access it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to provide this House with more details about the NWT justice system and in particular how this government works with communities to meet their needs and aspirations.

One of our guiding principles has always been that an effective justice system is one that is accepted by the communities it serves. Community involvement leads to acceptance and a justice system that meets the needs and aspirations of these communities.

The department encourages communities to increase their involvement in the administration of justice through community justice...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.