Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. This government does provide priority to those schools in the Northwest Territories as part of the capital planning process as we move forward. The super school that the Member is referring to took over 10 years from the planning stages until the final result. So sometimes it does take some time. But definitely in the Nahendeh riding we’re fully aware of the two schools that the Member is referring to, and we’ll continue to work with the school boards to identify those priorities. The work is already underway in the schools as well. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize those individuals that are in the gallery and organizations, the Minister’s Cultural Circle inductees are here with us today. First, in the youth category here with us: Evan Tordiff, along with his mother, Sylvie, and sister Lauren; Abel Tingmiak, elder category that’s here with us with his wife, Marcy Jane Tingmiak, that are here with us; Ben Nind of the individual category here with Natalie Labossiere; also here with us are the Aklavik Delta Drummers, the group category, Andrew Gordon, Eva Gordon, Alexander Gordon and Mary Ruth...

I don’t have the actual stats per community, but I can certainly look up the Member’s riding to see if there’s been any increase from last year to this year due to the funding increase. I can provide that information to the Member and also other Members if they are interested in the information. Mahsi.

All I can say at this point is the work will get done next year. Mahsi.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment works with all students. I know some students are struggling with their daily living allowance. That’s the very reason we are reviewing the SFA program. The current policy exists today that we have to follow. We cannot break the policy as it stands. We can amend that policy.

As we conduct the overall review and see the results of the recommendations in due time, we can make those changes. In the current time we’ll continue to work with the student and other students, as well, where they can access other potential funding that may be available...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 23 moved into Committee of the Whole. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

As I stated, the recommendations are before me now and it will be part of as we move into the 17th Assembly government. We’re at the tail end of our 16th Assembly. There are only a few more days here. I will be reviewing it, and if we need to make those changes, we’ll definitely work on that.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with the second reading of Bill 23, Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act.

---Consent granted

There is a process that we need to follow. I haven’t looked at those recommendations as of yet but I will be reviewing them. When it comes to making those changes, we have to consider all options as we move forward.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Territorial Court Act to increase the monetary limit that applies to the civil jurisdiction of the territorial judges. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.