Norman Yakeleya

At one time this Junior Achievement Program did operate in the Northwest Territories and they stopped. Now the president of the program from northern Alberta NWT chapter of Junior Achievement has confirmed they are not currently, but they want to be, involved again in the Northwest Territories. So I’m glad that the Minister has indicated…

Will he direct his staff to contact the Northern Alberta and NWT Chapter of Junior Achievement and start kicking up the dust so that we can have a pilot project in the Northwest Territories? We have a volunteer here in the Northwest Territories willing to do...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Is the Minister aware of the wide range of financial literacy courses available through the Junior Achievement Program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Dolynny.

The Auditor General’s performance audit covered the period between April 1, 2012, and September 1, 2014. The audit focused on two key aspects of correctional services: the management of selected facilities and the management of inmates within these facilities.

The audit examined whether the Department of Justice was meeting its key responsibilities for inmates and whether the department adequately managed inmates in compliance with key rehabilitation and reintegration requirements. The audit also looked at whether the department adequately planned...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Financial literacy is not something on the radar for most of our young people. The basis of financial literacy includes identifying the role of money in everyday life, using credit responsibly, managing a personal bank account, being wary of credit cards being pushed on consumers, knowing the pitfalls of consumer debt and learning about investment options.

In the NWT schools, there is a mandatory Grade 11 course about personal financial management, but this topic should be addressed even earlier. To illustrate the need for financial literacy, here is a familiar money...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Justice provide a status report to Standing Committee on Government Operations at least once before the end of the 17th Assembly, and further recommends that the status report be provided annually during the 18th Assembly, outlining actions taken in response to the Auditor General’s report. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, if they could do it sooner, we’d appreciate it.

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I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on Thursday, June 4, 2015, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, September 29, 2015;

AND FURTHER, that any time prior to September 29, 2015, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Sahtu we believe we can do better because we have the tools now with our hands to create our own destiny, not from Ottawa or not from Yellowknife anymore. They’ve gone through many changes and have adapted to those changes as part of our life.

In the ‘20s, Norman Wells oil development began and is still in this process of developing.

However, the principle of recognition of who we are remains firm. We are our own people in this great land of our ancestors. No one can deny our life’s opportunities, either good or bad, and only good if we’re responsible and bad if...

Mr. Speaker, our children today are challenged with financial literacy. There’s money coming out. It’s going to be a bigger issue for them if they do not have the financial literacy. I think it’s key in today’s world that we give the children the opportunity to learn how to work with money, otherwise we’ll continue to have poverty in the Northwest Territories. We have to do this for our children.

I want to ask the Minister again, you know, in regards to the financial literacy by this junior program. Is he going to be pushing strong, this department, this government, to look at volunteers – not...

I’m going to ask the Minister again, is he aware of the wide range of financial literacy available through the Junior Achievement Program? Is the Minister willing to support a pilot project in the upcoming school year where the Junior Achievement volunteers – not paid, volunteers – offer courses to elementary or high school students? Because the Sahtu Educational Board wants this program to know what the Minister is talking. We want a Grade 8 program. Is the Minister willing to look at that?