Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about our schools and learning opportunities for children in small communities.

Mr. Speaker, on September 30th of this year, the Premier spoke to the media. He said, quote: Half our population is Indigenous and even then we have the highest proportion of residential school survivors in Canada. So when we talk about things like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it means something different here, end quote.

Talking about reconciliation is important, Mr. Speaker, but what about action? We are supposed to be closing...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Social Development is pleased to provide its report on Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, and commends it to the House.

Mr. Speaker, Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, is a Private Member's Bill that proposes one change to the current Act – to amend paragraph 10(3)(8) of the Student Financial Assistance Act by striking out "$60,000" and substituting it with "$90,000". The change is proposed to allow for students to be able to borrow up to $90,000 in loans from the Government of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act.

Bill 8 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on June 12th, 2024, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review. Through the committee's review, the committee received 11 written submissions from Northwest Territories' students. We also held a public hearing in Yellowknife where we heard from the bill's sponsor, one member of the public and the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. All...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to ask the Minister if the Minister can make a commitment to come and visit Tlicho region, to visit some of the schools that needs a lot of help, that we need a lot of program and services, if the Minister can come and visit our school in the near future? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, she didn't answer my questions. There was physical and well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language, numbers, and etcetera. But anyways, I will go on to a second question.

Can the Minister explain why twice as many students are listed as vulnerable for small communities when compared to Yellowknife? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and welcome, congratulate Mary Teya and her daughter Annie and who I've known for many years. So I want to welcome them. And I would like to welcome back the interpreters. And it's also good to see Ms. Nadli up there, so I would like to welcome her too as well. So thank you.

Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I realize that the GNWT is more than $1 billion in debt, and we are at 96 percent of the debt limit. Yes, we are in fiscal restraint, and I commend the Cabinet for its effort to meet the needs of the people. The Cabinet has done its best to work with the people and especially our colleagues on this side too. I know not everyone is going to agree, but the Cabinet Ministers listen and work with us. That is a good thing. Not only that, but some of us Regular MLAs make budget requests and feel that our requests and proposals were listened to by the government...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to congratulate all of the students who are graduating from kindergarten to grade 12 in the Tlicho region. Graduation is a milestone achievement and a stepping-stone to new opportunities. I am proud of all the students for staying in school and putting in the hard work. Thank you to all the parents for supporting their children through school. And thank you to all the teachers and educators for their guidance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, this Bill will mostly improve access to education for non-Indigenous students. The role of the GNWT is to close the gap in education outcome. We know students in small communities need more support to succeed in post-secondary education. We need focus and attention on improving the education outcomes from students in small communities. They should remain the focus for the student finance assistance program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, forest fire 2023 was a disaster for a lot of us, and it was a nightmare for many who lived through the ordeal. People from Behchoko and Edzo, even Hay River North and South, they experienced that as well. So, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you it could happen worse for Behchoko. By the grace of God, Behchoko was safe. You know, so we lost four housing and we lost 15 cabins on Highway 3. But Enterprise did not have the same experience. Forest fire almost wiped out the whole community. As a result, until this day, the residents are still suffering. They're affected...