Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Speaker, within our department we’ve done some overall inventory of the housing units that are available in the 33 communities we serve. We do have that information. Also, for this year with the teachers, the majority have found suitable housing units to stay in.

But the Member is right. We need to plan now for next year and the following years on how we can mitigate these issues or challenges we’re faced with. It’s not only us; it’s throughout Canada as well, but throughout the North especially.

This is one of the priorities we’ve identified. We’ve had several meetings on this...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. That will be taken into consideration. They’re consulting with various groups within the school. I’ll make the effort to dig up some more information in that area and share it with the Member. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I can certainly say yes to working with the Member and the Members on the other side. I am willing to work with my department and bring forward what we have to date and share it with the committee. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Certainly, that consultation had covered those people who are working within the school. The Member asked for the terms of reference. I can share what I can share from my department on moving forward with the consultant. My understanding is that those individuals or groups that are within the school have been consulted, but I will double-check with my department if that’s an avenue the consultant initiated. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, as I stated, I need to sit down with my department to find out where things are at. I can’t really give a specific time as to when there are going to be changes, because I need to present to the committee as well if there are going to be proposed changes.

With any proposed changes there are always cost factors as well. We need to identify how much it will cost us to increase the minimum wage and put that forward, whether it be to the committee or the Cabinet. That is the work we need to undertake. I’m willing to do that with my department, to look into that further and see where...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. That particular school with the proposed addition equals…. There’s been a discussion from my department with the federal government, with Canadian Heritage, on the second phase. As you know, there’s been a federal election, so we’re going to continue on with our discussions with the appropriate department within Canadian Heritage. There’s a partnership agreement that needs to take place with this particular school, because there have been agreements in place for the first phase. We’re currently waiting on the federal government to come into play, and then we’ll certainly make...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The past several months have been very busy for the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification program. In 2007 a review of the program was initiated by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. This review was commissioned to ensure the system remained responsive to the demand for tradespeople in the North and across Canada.

The review provided 22 recommendations, some of which were initiated immediately upon completion of the report. An executive summary and an action plan addressing these recommendations were recently released to the public. These actions...

Yes, I will, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, as I stated, we need to consult with the small businesses in the North. I do believe that during the last round of increases there was an outcry from the small businesses. We need to consult with them as well. We can’t just say we’re going to increase wages at this time.

That type of information will be crucial to us to proceed, if we need to proceed forward, to increase the minimum wage. That is the information we need to tackle and consult with the small businesses on. We need that information from the Member as well.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Regarding the capital infrastructure for community museums that the Member is referring to, we can certainly provide the breakdown. I don’t have any in front of me right now, but I will break it down for the Member.