Jackson Lafferty

I totally agree with the Member. We have to tackle it from all angles in all venues where we possibly can. Like I said, I am working with representatives from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs office. One area that we highly stress is scientific research funding through the federal government, so that is in the works and we have shared that information with our federal counterparts.

Just so the Members know, I am also the spokesperson for my colleagues, Nunavut and Yukon, when it comes to talking about the university of the North, so it has been a very productive discussion so far...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. On October 17th to 19th in Yellowknife, Aurora College is hosting the Association of Community Colleges symposium on Serving Aboriginal Learners in Rural and Remote Communities. This event is an opportunity for aboriginal leaders, college educators, government officials and industry representatives to discuss strategy and best practice in aboriginal education at the college level.

Hosting a national conference with a focus on aboriginal learners is an honour for Aurora College. This unique conference attracts participants from smaller institutions with an aboriginal student...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. This particular piece of work has been an ongoing discussion for a number of years now. It has been brought up in this House as well. As you know, the way things are going with our economy, this could be a $60 million or $70 million infrastructure. We need to start talking about that as part of our capital project for the next few years. We are also talking about potential partners out there that we are exploring options. We’ve been approached about lease-buyback and various options that various organizations have offered. Those are just some of the discussions we are having...

Mr. Chair, yes, the museum area is based on an application basis. So the quickest answer would be yes. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. This particular discussion that the Member is referring to is small capital projects. They could be part of the discussions we will continue to have with the college. The college usually identifies minor or major repairs to the facility. We realize that the parking area is of concern for students. So those are discussions we will have with the college. We will be meeting with the college board of governors within a month, I believe. This discussion we’ll be having with them as well. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.

We’ve been to a number of small, isolated community schools and we’ve identified some needs in the schools. We’ve been to the Sahtu and Colville. We’ve toured a school as well, a small school. So there is a need for some upgrades that have been identified by the principal and the school boards.

This is the type of discussion that we continue to have at the chairs meeting that’s slated for the end of next month. Most of the discussion that the Member is alluding to is also being addressed at that level. The CTS is an area that we continue to improve into the schools, based on application from...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I have with me Mr. Dan Daniels, deputy minister of ECE. Mahsi.

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.