Kevin A. Menicoche

I would be pleased to work with the Minister and the Department of Health and Social Services and the Deh Cho Health and Social Services, as well as get the young lady involved that had contacted my office in getting the assessment if there indeed is a root cause in Fort Liard. As I said, we had done it in other communities, especially when… It’s not yet been determined if H. Pylori has been the root cause, but the concern is if this is the case, then we should examine it. I’d like to get the Minister’s commitment, for the record one more time, that this serious concern will be examined. Thank...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to speak about Foundation for Change a bit. I know that the Minister brought it up in her opening comments and she’s absolutely correct that it did go to committee. One of the biggest changes for me in the Foundation for Change was looking at community nursing. It’s been something especially high on my agenda for the community of Wrigley. I look forward to seeing that change. I know that it took a long while to get to this stage, lots of barriers to overcome, including return of policing to Wrigley was part of the equation and with the help of my...

I’m just trying to get a handle on will the playground equipment be removed this year. Probably the planning process to replace the playground in 2011 sounds good, but am I correct in understanding that they’re looking at removing the playground equipment this fiscal year? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment questions on the playground in Fort Liard. The National Playground Code about six to eight years ago came into place. We assessed our schools and replaced what we could. In Fort Liard that remained undone. I’d like to ask the Minister why that one school playground equipment was not replaced.

Thank you very much. When will the discussions take place and how soon can I know, or even the school in Fort Liard know, about the plans for that playground? Thank you.

The parents and the teachers are very concerned in Fort Liard. They raised it with me in my December visit. They’re actually so concerned that they’re looking for ways to fundraise to replace the school ground equipment, but it’s our responsibility, Mr. Speaker. The need is immediate. I’d like to ask the Minister what can be done in this coming fiscal year. Can we release some resources so that we can begin the preliminary work or even remove some of this dangerous pressure-treated wood equipment? Thank you.

[English translation not provided.]

Today I want to speak about the need for safe playground equipment in Fort Liard. We are well aware of the importance of physical activity for children’s health. Recently the media has reported that exercise is linked with a greater ability for children to concentrate in classrooms. This is important for us to ensure that our children have opportunities to play games and have fun. I’m not talking about sedentary activities like computer games and indoor activities.

When the weather’s a bit warmer than today, if you go by a school playground at recess you’ll...

As I indicated, the aboriginal students in our smaller communities are missing 41 days of school per year with the equivalence up to about two years of schooling by the time they reach grade 9. I know that the Education department and our school boards consider this very seriously and I think they coupled some of the monitoring stats, like the Alberta Achievement Test, which shows that our use of English is being impacted because they’re missing a lot of that. So what kind of projects are being undertaken this fiscal year and planned for the next year, in terms of addressing this concern?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to follow up on the CBC special report this morning about the test results that show reading and math levels are still low in the NWT communities. I’d like to ask the Minister of Education some questions on the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative that we have going. I know that it started last year. So if he could tell me just a bit about the program and what initiatives are slated for this coming year, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

As a Regular Member, I certainly would like to see some of the measurable results. I know there’s only been one semester this year, but certainly if the Minister can commit to continuing to keep us informed of the progress. If the Minister has any information with regard to my particular riding and with the Dehcho Divisional Board and some of the progress or initiatives they have planned, if he could share that with me.