Tom Beaulieu

I'd like to ask the Minister if the department at first intended to deliver the Small Community Employment Support Program to small communities only.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, just to be clear, I'd like to ask the Minister if the Small Community Employment Support Program budget of $3 million that was added to the $1.2 million now supports all communities except Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have one question. I would like to know if the Minister could give me the status of the Lutselk'e Health Centre. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to ask the Minister if he could provide us with the status of the fish plant in Hay River.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was wondering if the Minister is aware that the employment rate for Indigenous people is 54 per cent in the Northwest Territories and 80 per cent for nonIndigenous people.

Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if the Minister is aware that the employment rates in the NWT run 6 to 10 per cent higher than the rest of Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a small community employment program was put in place because we have communities with employment rates below 50 per cent, below 40 per cent, some below 30 per cent, those are small communities. The communities that were added are communities that have employment rates at 60 and 70 per cent. We're trying to address employment where employment is needed most.

Why did the Minister not advise us in committee on the change that they're expanding the Small Community Employment Program, which was designed and put in place to increase employment in small...

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise why the decision was made to go beyond the small communities with this program?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to also recognize Chief Ernest Betsina. He is the chief of one of the communities that I represent, Ndilo. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise, and report progress. Thank you.