Michael Nadli

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for most, Enterprise is a drive-through community. People stop to take advantage of the facilities and its essential service provided by the communities, such as the gas station. Located at the crossroads of NWT Highways No. 1 and No. 2, Enterprise is an important connector to southern Canada.

While Enterprise's location on the NWT highway system generates some economic activity for the community, residents are concerned about the safety of pedestrians, especially children, around the community. My constituents have expressed concerns over the fact that, in the...

I think what we all could sense is that there needs to be some action taken. When can the residents of Enterprise expect or see safety improvements to the intersection that runs through the community of Enterprise?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to follow up with my statement and ask some questions to the Minister of Infrastructure, but, before I do that, I just wanted to highlight some things. Humboldt, Saskatchewan, I think everybody is aware of the tragedy that transpired over the recent months. The community of Enterprise, there's an intersection that runs through the community. There's a lot of traffic that goes through there, and we have a looming industry, the Aurora Wood Pellets, once it gets into operation, you will probably see a lot of traffic go through there. Safety concerns...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, me too, I would like to rise and recognize the language board members that are here and thank them for the work that they do in terms of initiating revitalization projects throughout the Northwest Territories. I would like to especially recognize Jonas Landry, a constituent of mine from Fort Providence who got to go through training; also, Sarah Gargan from K'atlodeeche but from Hay River. I would like to welcome them to the House. Mahsi.

Community learning centres exist in small communities, and so my question is to the Minister: what role can they continue playing in terms of trying to work with mature students who decide to go back to school to upgrade and qualify for high school equivalencies?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated in my statement, I was very honoured and proud to attend the special graduation on the Hay River Reserve. This was celebrating a moment with mature students who decided to go back to school and upgrade their education and at least meet requirements to graduate from high school.

It is common that, throughout the NWT, our young people are facing challenges. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment: why are high school graduation rates low in some small communities, and what is the Minister's plan of action to address them...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the life of the 18th Assembly is coming down. Our term is coming up, and similarly, the Minister has a new portfolio. So besides addressing the rates of low graduation levels in small communities, and the NWT for that matter, what are the Minister's priorities in the remaining term of the 18th Assembly? Mahsi.

In small communities, we are challenged, of course. Most jobs and a lot of the benefits of industrial-type projects go to where the action is and usually to larger centres. Small communities struggle, but we are seeing some trends in terms of out-migration of small communities, with people moving to larger centres.

At the same time, there was a recent study that pointed to an alarming trend that there are gaps between the education levels of larger centres like the City of Yellowknife and smaller communities. If a student from a small community graduated grade 12, compared to a student who...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I recently attended a special high school graduation on the Hay River Reserve. Verna Buggins, Clifford Fabian, Chantelle Lafleur, and Ashley Dawn Leblanc graduated with high school equivalencies on May 18, 2018, with their families and local leaders in attendance. I want to once again congratulate them on their achievement.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, graduating rates are very low on the Hay River Reserve. Most students leave the reserve to attend high school in the town of Hay River, making this high school graduation of...

Would the Minister agree that one criteria could be the number of fees that are currently being addressed? Fort Providence, for one, has the highest number of land leases. Would the Minister agree to have a position situated in Fort Providence?