Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. This is an area that we’ve been tackling for quite some time now. When it comes to subsidizing the seniors fuel subsidy, that’s one area that I’d like to see some changes. The Members have raised that issue in the House already, that their kids or grandchildren are living with them and how we’re still penalizing the seniors. So I instructed my department to look at options and I believe we’re at the final stages of looking at those options, and I want to move forward to present to standing committee and that will make some changes to how we subsidize the seniors fuel subsidy...

Those are discussions that we’ll take into consideration as part of the overall plan once we engage the general public on the review itself. The Member is correct that there are certain schools, certain funding may not be enough. Also, there are some schools that do not have equipment, such as small communities, isolated communities. Those are the factors we need to seriously look at. Based on enrolment does capture all schools. The review is before us and we want to make those changes that will reflect on what’s been said, what’s been heard around the Northwest Territories from the parents...

Yes, we’ll provide the comparable breakdown on the early childhood $7.7 million. We do have the $1.25 million that was committed the last go around. The breakdown itself, we can provide that to the Members as well. The first one is the ECE framework renewal. That’s what we’re going through right now, and also part of that will be coordination with the Northwest Territories different agencies and stakeholders and so forth. Child and family resource centre is another one for $250,000 for two communities, Tulita and Ndilo.

First, if I can reflect back. The framework renewal is slated for $200,000...

Mr. Chair, obviously we would like to see a longer term commitment from the feds. Right now it is only a two-year funding. Usually it is a five-year investment, so we will be knocking at their door, even building our relationship with the CanNor department. If the fund is depleting, then that’s an area that we need to start planning now, re-evaluating even before the two-year time span is up. How has it been? Is it working well? How can we reinvest in those areas? We do have some time to re-evaluate our stance at that point in time. At the same time, we are working with Aboriginal governments...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. With any planning process for infrastructure, we have to work with the college to identify the funds that may be available to them. Then we need to work out the logistics of it. I will get my director to elaborate on the process itself. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. This is an area that is one of the priorities within our department because we know we are losing the languages in the region. As you know, we’ve developed some apps pertaining to Aboriginal languages. We have developed five already and now we’re currently working on an additional two. It was part of my Minister’s statement today that I highlighted we are working on two more Aboriginal languages so that, at the end of the day, we will be up to seven. We’ll want to capture all nine in the long term.

There’s also a symposium coming up in March over the next couple of weeks...

Mr. Chair, I’m not sure we have that information here at this point, but we can certainly provide it. Actually, I do have some information that we will provide to the Members as well. Since 2007 it’s roughly 2,800 cases. In 2008 it increased a bit. In 2009 it increased. It has been gradually increasing over time. From 2007-2008 it was 2,800 roughly. In 2011-2012 it was just over 3,000. There has been some incremental increase. We will provide that to the Members.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The inclusive schooling is an area that is currently under review. Based on the information we’ve received from the general public, most specifically, of course, from the Northwest Territories, we need to provide or enhance our programming. Right now we spend well over $26 million in this area. In return I think we can do better. That’s the whole area where the reporting mechanism and the framework itself we are exploring through the education renewal process. Part of that includes the schooling review. There is a reporting mechanism in place for the school boards on an...

I believe this was brought to my attention. That’s part of the reason why we’re doing this education renewal. There are six pillars and part of the one pillar is to deal with the systems. I understand where the Member’s coming from. That’s an area that will be discussed through stakeholders and other educators, and providing that input, and if we need to make those changes then I have to work with my Premier and so forth, my colleagues, to make that a reality. That will be part of the discussion.

Mr. Chair, there are other, whether they be the ASETS through the federal government, going to Aboriginal communities or leadership. There is a Labour Market Agreement that we have that train in those areas. ALBE covers a lot of areas. It is very generic even at the mine site. They provide training.

I keep on referring to training, but it is ALBE upgrades. That’s what is happening at the mine site and various areas in the Northwest Territories that deliver that. Community learning centres, friendship centres and other agencies are involved. Yes, there are more than just our department or the...