Kevin A. Menicoche

Mr. Speaker, thank you for your leeway in continuing debate with the Minister of Education. The parents know the value of good education and that’s why they are choosing other districts based on their own selection and guidelines that they would like for their children.

Once again, can the Minister explore home boarding not only in the district that the student is from but other communities? Also, I want to point out once again, the mitigating factor here is that there are Aboriginal rights and the federal government pays for that, and our government, therefore, is responsible as well. Thank...

I understand a bit about that, how schools are funded by each education authority. I guess my question was more related to home boarding. When students from small communities go to Fort Simpson, the education authority takes care of the home boarding and provides them a place to stay. But when the parent makes the choice to send them to another district – in this case to Yellowknife – why are we not supporting costs for home boarding in relatives’ homes or other areas? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are certainly times when our education system doesn’t support our students or support the good decisions made by their parents.

In many of our small communities, students have to go away to a larger centre to complete high school. That can be really on both the student and the parents. For example, Mr. Speaker, a parent I know in Trout Lake wants to send their child to Yellowknife for high school instead of Fort Simpson. This parent has considered the various factors and made a decision. However, the education authority does not agree with this choice and will not...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 9-17(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2013-2014, with a deliberation of Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement I spoke about treaties and Aboriginal rights. We are responsible for Aboriginal education and if that student moves to whatever community, I feel that home boarding should be covered. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to follow up on my Member’s statement and ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment why parents in small communities are, essentially, not allowed to decide where their students will go when they have to complete high school away from home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just for the 2011-2012 actuals of $80,000, was that a previously budgeted amount or were there some exceptional circumstances in that year? Thanks.

Who makes up this Socio-economic Advisory Committee? Thanks.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just with regard to grants and contributions, there’s an increment or a new addition for Canadian Zinc Socio-economic Agreement. Maybe if the Minister can just explain how that budget of $30,000 would be used. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 9-17(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2013-2014, with the continuance of Industry, Tourism and Investment as well as NWT Housing Corporation. Thank you.