Julie Green

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Obtaining licenced childcare is a significant problem in NWT communities, and in Yellowknife, as well. Parents face long waiting lists for space, and the cost is through the roof. In fact, I know of families who get themselves onto waiting lists as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed.

A large part of the problem is finding a building for childcare that meets building and fire code requirements. These are exacting standards to ensure our children are safe and, of course, I have no quarrel with putting safety first. The fact is, however, that it is next to impossible to...

Thank you. My next question has to do with the Information and Privacy Commissioner. I note, in the Speaker's opening remarks, he talked about a greater workload. Is this funding for just one position, or what exactly in terms of staffing does it cover? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think that the Minister and I are on the same page with this. I think you could do a pilot project with native women and status of women. I think those organizations do a strategic plan and a budget. I think there are some materials to begin with to come up with some mutually agreed goals for the services that they are providing through their contribution agreement and that that could be a constructive process across the board. I don't have any further questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you to the Premier for that. When these non-profit contribution agreements are reviewed, is there methodology to working out how much money is going to be in the contribution agreement? Is there some rationale for that? How is that money determined, that number determined? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate that answer from the Premier. It's time to take a look at these levels and to make them reflect the work that is being done, that there be some specific methodology to how these numbers are determined, and that they are reviewed annually to ensure that the money granted keeps up with the cost of inflation. My fear is that, while GNWT employees have received increases because of their collective agreement, the non-profits are being left behind, and I am calling on the Premier to do something about that. Thank you.

Thank you. Can the Minister tell us what kind of research is being done on this topic, whether there is a jurisdictional scan, for example, to see how childcare is provided in other remote and high-cost locations? Thank you.

I’m jumping on this bandwagon. I’m particularly interested in the possibility of providing childcare space at J.H. Sissons school, which is in my riding, and which is going to be rebuilt, starting in the near future. Is it still possible to talk about providing childcare space in that school? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to welcome my constituent, Be’sha Blondin. Thank you for all the very great, healing work she does in our community. Mahsi.

Thank you. My final question has to do with the languages commissioner. It's my understanding that this position has been vacant for some time, so can the Speaker tell us what the spending in this fiscal year is for? Thank you.

Thank you. I note that the Human Rights Adjudication Panel amount has gone up over last year and the year before. Can the Speaker say why that is? Thank you.