David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure has reviewed Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Deh Cho Bridge Act; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act; Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act; and Bill 19, Cost of Credit Disclosure Act. The committee wishes to report that Bills 15, 17, 18 and 19 are now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to just end by asking the Minister, again, I think we’re trying to get as many northern people involved in the health care field here in the Northwest Territories and opportunities to advance themselves through training. The LPN Program is one of these areas I think we could expand upon. I’d like to ask the Minister if he would commit to getting back to me on whether or not Aurora College will offer the LPN Program in Yellowknife for residents here in Yellowknife who want to take that course.

I think it’s great news that the LPN Program is going to be offered in Inuvik. I congratulate the department and Aurora College on doing that. I’d like to ask the Minister if there’s any thought that sometime down the road this course could be offered at Aurora College here in Yellowknife, given the success of the Northern Nursing Program here in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 8, oral questions.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October 3rd residents of the Northwest Territories will be going back to the polls to elect the 17th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. As an Assembly we only have seven sitting days remaining for us, which will come in mid-August just prior to dissolution of the 16th Legislative Assembly, scheduled for September 5th. I’d like to formally announce today my intention to seek re-election in the riding of Kam Lake, of which I’ve had the opportunity, honour and privilege to represent since 2003 when I was first elected MLA for Kam Lake.

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I’d like to ask the Minister if Aurora College does any research into potential students for programs like the LPN Program and, if so, have they done any of that market research in Inuvik and Yellowknife, or Fort Smith for that matter, to gauge the interest of having that program run in those communities.

I thank Members for allowing me to return to item 8. Just a few questions I have regarding the Licenced Practical Nursing Program. It’s currently scheduled to be offered in Inuvik this fall. I’d like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment when the last time the Licenced Practical Nurse Program, the LPN course, was held anywhere in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleague from Great Slave, I’d like to recognize the work of all of the Pages that served the House during this sitting. Specifically, I’ve got a constituent, Miss Caleigh Matheson, who I would like to point out the work that Caleigh’s done. Appreciate that.

I’d also like to recognize the members of the Jacobson family who are in the gallery and my favourite little girl from Tuktoyaktuk, Mikayla Jacobson.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Now, the Department of Health and Social Services has made a significant commitment in the past to employ northern nursing and other allied health professional students every summer. To this end, they have implemented a Related Experience Program to help the authorities hire these students. Last year the authorities across the Northwest Territories employed 45 students who fell into this category: two in the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority; 13 in Yellowknife Health and Social...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member’s statement, the concern out there is there is not enough work for the small to medium-sized construction companies in the Northwest Territories today, and I think it would be incumbent upon the government to discuss this situation with the Northwest Territories Construction Association. I’d like to ask the Minister what value Public Works and Services puts on the opinion of the Northwest Territories Construction Association. Thank you.