Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This particular issue has been, as the Member indicated, brought up in the House and we did approach BDEC, the Beaufort-Delta Department of Education, Beaufort-Delta Board of Education. We’ve been working closely with the board on identifying key aspects of the students: are they missing school or having challenges while they’re in school, where they’ll be staying. We provide funding to BDEC on an ongoing basis, on an annual basis.

Mr. Speaker, also the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative, the meeting that we’ve had, the last one in the Beaufort-Delta was a very...

We did present the ASA during the process, and we can provide that as soon as we have that information from the regional leadership to say where we’re going with this. We can provide an update to the standing committee.

I didn’t highlight just education parties. There have been various organizations that are involved in the discussion right at the start of the ASA forum that we initiated in the Sahtu region in September until just last week. Those key areas of early childhood development, the discussion from the parties, such as my department, is education and early childhood, and also school services. Also the grandmothers, the parents that are actively involved in education matters. Some have retired but came back to lend their support to provide services as much as they can towards this product that’s...

Those different contribution agreements we have conducted in the past with the First Nations community organizations. We can look at it as a potential to explore those areas and see what can come out of that or involve the Member in the discussion, as well.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Member for asking that question, because this has been in the works for some time now.

The alternative school programming consists of Hay River, as well, and there have been several meetings between the school boards and my department. I did make a commitment to visit the schools as well, which I did when I was in Hay River for the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative. I went to see the students there. But what it came down to is as of March we decided to look at the tentative school programming and let’s hire a consultant to have a thorough...

Mahsi. First of all, I’d just like to commend the DEA and DECs, and also the Members, for voicing their concerns about this particular programming. Yes, the program changes, there will be an increase in funding that’s satisfactory to DEAs, DECs and our department. So that is in the works and it will be announced and the funding will be flowed through as of July 1st on the school year. So it’s good news for the communities that we represent on the alternative school programming. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Improving skills for living and working is one of the ways the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to maximize opportunities for our residents and pursue the Legislative Assembly’s goal of a diversified economy. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment makes significant investments in skills training and employment development to ensure that northern residents can meet the demand of northern employers.

The Northwest Territories Labour Force Development Framework -- People, Partnerships, Possibilities -- is the result of northern partners coming...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Ms. Jillian Huber who is a University of Regina social work practicum student who is doing her spring/summer project in the community justice division of the Department of Justice. I’d like to welcome her. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Return to Written Question 1-16(6), I wish to table the following three documents entitled: Listing of Nutrition, Healthy Eating and Healthy Foods Program; Listing of NWT Community Wellness Programs; and Eligibility for GNWT School-Based Nutrition, Healthy Eating and Healthy Foods Programs. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to update the House on the Department of Justice’s work to improve policing services across the territory.

As we all know, encouraging, nurturing and building partnerships is the foundation on which the Northwest Territories was built. Throughout the life of the 16th Legislative Assembly, the Department of Justice has been working on a new model for policing in the North. This model, the Partnership Approach, acknowledges our uniqueness, builds on our strengths, and fosters stronger relationships with our communities. Effective planning for police services must...