Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Chairman, the thing we are doing at $140,000 has been identified to do a study plan, because what we have identified here with the consultant was they did their report and the report identified related renovations to an existing building, a high school entrance, an addition to a stand free shop facility and provision for cold storage. We need to do more planning study within the school. I know the Member has raised this issue in the House. We want to have a solid case that we can bring forward as part of our capital plan projects for next year. That is our overall plan. That is part of the...

Yes, Mr. Speaker, yes. ECE is already in the process of, again, developing the Labour Market Development Framework. That is the comprehensive work that we’ve been engaged in, and I encourage the Member to provide feedback. We will also provide feedback to the Member on our consultations with the stakeholders.

I would like to thank the Member and also the Members for their valuable contributions towards this important document and will continue to have ongoing discussion with the stakeholders.

The way the process works is that usually the school boards provide us applications on their needs. If CTS is required, or for upgrade, then there is funding available for that. I believe it’s upwards of $400,000. Those are numbers that we work with. It’s all based on the application from the school boards on their needs.

Mr. Speaker, we currently provide, through ECE, a number of programs into the smaller communities, the isolated communities, so they can participate in the labour market in the Northwest Territories. We also are currently working on the Labour Market Development Framework that also involves consultation with the communities. This framework will help us to adapt to the new emergent economic and labour force challenges and opportunities. What the Member is referring to will be addressed in the framework itself, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

The current and existing daycares and child care facilities are run by not-for-profit organizations or private sectors. So we don’t own those buildings. That’s part of the reason why we haven’t gotten into capital projects for that specific area. We’ve made some changes to our programming. It does reflect on some of the mortgage payments. Just thinking or changing our policies to reflect on the cost of operating, we do have some or have made some changes at that level when it comes to O and M and try and be creative and innovative. There have been some changes on the mortgage payment for...

That provision would fall under the local school board and the divisional education council. We provide funding to them and they disperse the funding through their priorities. The decision lies with the local school board. If they feel there should be a need for a half-time or full-time position over the summer, it’s at their discretion to allow that to happen. We’ll continue to work with the school boards.

We do have regional representatives in each region that can definitely work with the community leadership. If they want to pursue certain projects or capitals in the region, we are in support of that, having our representative there.

We need to start planning for next year. What are the essential needs in the regions and communities? As the Member alluded to, what is the process? The process will be to sit down with the leadership and if it needs the involvement of the school boards, then they are there as well. ECE is represented from the region and my department is willing to work with that...

When the request came in from MLA Menicoche on concerns of the playground, we expeditiously followed up with PWS and had resources, staff members go into the community and clean up that area, along with the assistance of the school as well. There has been community contribution, as well, from the parents, which was greatly valued. At the same time, this issue that came up before, the community can play an important role in preventing vandalism and also littering issues in the community. We are working with PWS and my department with the schools to put up some cameras and fencing along that...

All I can say is this is an area of high interest for us as a department, especially with a lease that is coming up and due. We have had some discussions with the federal government and will definitely push with our existing current infrastructure right now, the pressing need. Like I say, we will continue with pressing the federal government. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize some of the students that are here for the Aurora College Community Wellness Program. I’ll just highlight their names: Sharon Hopf, Yellowknife; Jennifer Jonasson, Lutselk'e; Gloria Hardisty, Wrigley; Trudy Kochon, Colville Lake; Jessica Field, Fort Providence; Gladys Edwards, Aklavik; Clara Sabourin, Hay River Reserve; Charlene Blake, Tsiigehtchic; Karen McLeod, Fort Liard; Lisa Judas, Wekweeti; Donald Yukon, Deline; Maria McSwain, Fort McPherson; and also their instructor, Carol Gregor, are here with us. Welcome. Mahsi.