Tom Beaulieu

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...

Marci, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently, at this time, how are existing addictions programming targeted to serve the youth? Thank you.

How will the actions described in this plan work with the department's future development of an addictions recovery action plan?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move item 11 on the orders paper, replies to budget address. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about difficult times families are facing when it comes to impacts of drug and alcohol on youth.

[Translation] The way the kids are drinking and using drugs, that is what I would like to talk about. The way our relatives are having problems and still drinking today. There are kids -- it gets very expensive and all the money is spent on -- [translation ends] struggle with alcohol and drugs, the added burden on mothers, fathers, and grandparents and siblings is huge. It is a wide ranging issue, from not sleeping properly to constant worry...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we had attended the Antipoverty Roundtable in Inuvik as a social development group. It was very interesting. The Minister was there, of course, and listening to the group there talking about their work. We felt also that there should be more funds targeted towards the anti-poverty group. So that's just something I would mention here, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.