Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, has the department determined that this program isn’t achieving its objective? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I notice that Business Development Investment Corporation is dropping by almost a half a million dollars. I was wondering if the Minister could just explain that decrease? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that committee defer consideration of estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 216-18(2), NWT Main Estimates 2017-2018 with the Department of Health and Social Services. Mr. Chairman, if we are to conclude the Department of Health and Social Services, we would like to get the Minister's comments on Industry, Tourism and Investment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I'm going to assume that that $2 million is not part of what the government is referring to as fully funded from the answers I've got. Mr. Speaker, in 2000, teachers went on strike. One of the results of that strike was a ministerial directive on inclusive schooling. Since then that inclusive schooling has been eroded. Can the Minister tell me what the initial money for inclusive schooling was put in place for and what was the reason that directive was put out by the Minister of the day?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to ask more questions on junior kindergarten. Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated that the first group of schools that started junior kindergarten rolled out kindergarten at their own expense. So $2 million was taken out of the school boards. Is the Minister saying that that $2 million is not part of the fully funded -- the term "fully funded" that's been used by the GNWT right now to fund junior kindergarten, that $2 million spent by the school boards is no longer in the mix? Is that the case? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nothing further.

The Minister explained inclusive schooling and the funding levels as per the NWT Ministerial Directive on Inclusive Schooling. I think it was indicated that 15 per cent would be the amount for inclusive schooling. Education is funding at 17 per cent. Having said that, I think that, even if we fund junior kindergarten at 15 per cent, it would still be fairly significant. My understanding is that the original budget was over $7 million, if not higher. If you just calculate 15 per cent on that, that seems to be -- I am not understanding how the fact that they are funding K to 12 at a level higher...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I wanted to ask the Minister if the recent agreement with the federal government is reflected in work performed on behalf of others or is it reflected somewhere else in this budget? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I talked about the funding for junior kindergarten. I'd like to ask the Minister questions along those lines. The Minister said that junior kindergarten is fully funded, but we keep hearing from the boards and that that there is no inclusion of inclusive schooling or Aboriginal instruction with the four-year-olds who are going into junior kindergarten. So I'd just like to ask the Minister what "fully funded" means? Thank you.