Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Speaker, we accept recommendations and input from our Regular Members as well. We very much appreciate their input.

This review has been undertaken for just under a year now. It will be brought to the attention of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. The results of these recommendations will be brought forward. Any recommendations and advice from Members will certainly be taken into consideration in our discussion. Mahsi.

Mr. Chair, we are trying to stay in line with other jurisdictions, to have secure premises for the safety of the public — just a security fence with a completely climb-proof upper section design, to prevent breaches of the security perimeter. This is one area that has been identified by Corrections as needed to prevent incidents such as escapes. Going to the facility, there are no gates or anything similar, so it’s a safety aspect for the public at large. Mahsi.

Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is working closely with Aurora College to perform a thorough review of apprenticeship and occupational certification programs. The review is being undertaken right now on a final technical report. There are surveys happening, and we're trying to get input from different sectors about what is working and what is not working. Then we will provide recommendations on moving forward. That is currently under review, and it will be brought forward for our department’s discussion. Mahsi.

Mr. Chairman, on the question of the perimeter fencing, at both the NSCC and also the young offenders facility at the present time the property is deficient at the current stage. We have incomplete or inadequate fencing currently at both facilities. As the Premier indicated, the requirement is to provide safety for the offenders, the staff and the public. That’s part of the reason we’re bringing this forward, so that the construction can happen this summer and then proceed with the fencing of both facilities. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize Amanda Mallon, president of the NWT Teachers’ Association. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member from Sahtu, that Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act, be read for the first time. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Range Lake, that Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, be read for the first time. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, again, our department is working with the community of Fort Smith, identifying what’s happening out there — the incident the Member is referring to — because it does reflect on the programs being delivered, the enrolment and so forth. So I’m not going to specifically say this person is responsible. It’s all departments that are conducting the review. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, the review we talked about earlier is before us, within our department. That has been conducted ECE and also Aurora College on apprenticeship and occupational certification and the program set that we’d deliver.

Of those issues that the Member is referring to — some of the areas that have been referenced as well — he listed intimidation and fear. Our department is aware of things that are happening within that community. We do have a team that is reviewing these documents. There’s more ongoing communication happening within our department and Aurora College on that specific item...

Mr. Chair, I don’t have the specific details of all the previous renovations that have taken place. Our department would have that information, but I don’t have that detailed information in front of me.