Glen Abernethy

Mr. Speaker, I wish to update the Assembly on programs that give our Aboriginal youth a stepping stone to serving their communities in the RCMP.

Our Assembly has identified a goal of diversifying our economy, ensuring that people in each community and region have choices. The Aboriginal Community Constable Program and the Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program are innovative training programs that support this goal.

The Community Constable Program continues the original pilot program with a second intake of candidates. There are two positions available for Aboriginal people 19 years or older to...

Thank you, Madam Chair. First off I’d like to just talk about visits to the Sahtu. I had an opportunity to get into the Sahtu. I’ve made a commitment that I’m going to get into every community in the Northwest Territories to meet with residents throughout the Northwest Territories. I firmly believe that it’s important for all of us as Ministers to get out and meet the people who ultimately benefit from the services and programs that we provide by the Government of the Northwest Territories. In doing so I have also committed to taking staff with me because I also think that in addition to just...

Yes, please.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Report of the Northwest Territories Judicial Remuneration Commission, 2012.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Right from the beginning when the Premier announced this, he indicated that this would be a collaborative process and that’s the model that we’re following. We have engaged a large working group, which consists of a significant number of NGOs, Aboriginal governments and industry, and we will continue to engage that. That group has identified a steering committee which is chaired by the Government of the Northwest Territories but includes Aboriginal representation, NGO representations, as well, and this is one that I’m really excited about, an individual who has actually lived in poverty and is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a lot of work being done on the Anti-Poverty Strategy. We are happy with the progress that has been done to date and we are looking forward to continue working with committee and the public on the completion of an Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Ultimately what we want is the right Anti-Poverty Strategy as opposed to right now. We think we can get it done by the end of the calendar year but we are open to input from those involved, including the committee and Members, and if it doesn’t look like we’re going to have the right policy at the end of the calendar year, we’re...

Obviously it really, truly depends on who the candidates are and whether they’re successful through the program. We are willing to work with the RCMP and we are willing to try to find the appropriate location for the candidates when they do successfully complete. Whether that’s in a community with a large regional centre or whether it’s a smaller community with a detachment, that needs to be determined based on where the candidate comes from, what their interest is and what capacity they have. We will be working with “G” Division on this.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Aboriginal Community Constable Program is a fantastic program and it’s in its second year of piloting. I have had an opportunity to speak to the commanding officer of “G” Division and we all agree that we really would like to see somebody coming out of a small community going into this program. There are communities that would be able to facilitate an officer upon their return and this is the direction we would like to go. Ultimately it would be up to the RCMP who the final candidates are, and I encourage you and all the Members to get out and talk to the residents...

Yes, Madam Chair. With me today are Sheila Bassi-Kellet on my right, the deputy minister of Human Resources, and on my left, the director of human resource strategy and policy, Michelle Beard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To date there is no standardized GNWT training available to staff to make sure that they are aware of the different cultures and are prepared to deal with those situations here in the Northwest Territories. But in our strategic plan, 20/20, building a public service, we are committed to actually pursue that training and put that training into place.

To that end, a request proposal for Aboriginal cultural awareness training has just been concluded. We are about to award that contract and develop appropriate culturally relevant training here in the Northwest Territories...