Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a couple of comments in response to the general comments. The transition allowance for the Ministers is directly tied to the prohibition for that Minister to work, so I think we felt that that was appropriate since a Minister would be unable to seek income with the various agencies of the government and the government and so on, so that prohibition with transitional allowance was tied directly to and that’s why we went with the 12 months, because of the restrictions to the Ministers. Also the fact that now that the Conflict of Interest Commissioner is involved...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two constituents of mine: Alizette Lockhart, who received a Wise Women Award, and Theresa Dolly Simon from Fort Resolution. Thank you.

It appears as though the money is...all the other money that the Minister is speaking of is allocated to other programs. This money for the Food First Program was scheduled to be one-year money, that is true, but it’s been such a huge success that I’m wondering if the department would look at actually replacing this program. If this program is going to end regardless on March 31st, then would the department find a program that’s similar that they can achieve the same results that this program has achieved since its inception?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the Food First Program in the schools. I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment questions on that. Would the Minister thoroughly examine the ECE budget with the staff to find money to continue the Food First Program?

[English translation not provided.]

Today I would like to talk about the Food First Program and its positive impacts on the two schools in Tu Nedhe. The Food First Program in the schools has allowed schools to ensure that kids have at least one good, healthy meal per day. The program has even allowed the parents to become more involved with the students by coming into the schools and preparing breakfast for the students in Lutselk’e. In the Deninu School in Fort Resolution the school has combined the Food First Program with the Kids in the Kitchen Program to prepare a good, healthy breakfast...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister then direct an evaluation of that program to look at all the positive impacts that program has had on all the schools across the North? Would the Minister then direct his staff to do that evaluation immediately?

I’d like to thank the Minister for that response, however, it appears as though the Food First Program that’s essentially feeding the kids in school is going to discontinue on March 31st. Could the Minister check right now with the department and see if it’s possible to find money to at least continue the food program in the schools until the end of the school year? That’s three more months, that’s it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, I will move that Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, during the review of the subsidies or assistance and so on, would the Minister be prepared to look at increasing the income threshold that allows people to apply for child care subsidy? Thank you.