R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question is is Ottawa willing to put up 50 percent of the dollars. We already put in a substantial amount of money many times more than Ottawa puts into childcare. So if Ottawa was to match what we're already spending, we would be almost where we need to be. There would probably be additional funding required, but that 50 percent from Ottawa would be great.

So, you know, of course, appropriations are voted on by this House. So I can't commit to any future funding. But I think it's fair to say there is a commitment to ensuring that we are partners with Ottawa as we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have an over/under on, you know, how realistic that is. But the fact is that we recognize that we need qualified early learning childcare educators, not just people to, you know, watch the kids while they watch TV. We need educators if we really want to give children the best start in life. So there's a number of initiatives taking place. There are early learning and childcare scholarships for people who want to learn. There's a pilot program right now in person. You can do the first year of the diploma online. We're hoping to expand the number of dual credit...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The bilateral agreement is still being negotiated. So I can't give the Member a number on that. However, the federal government, in addition to that 30 billion they announced from 450 million in workforce development, and we expect maybe 2 and a half million from that, and hopefully in addition to what we're getting at the bilateral. So we have been receiving about 2.4 million a year. And so in worst case scenario, we would get that in the first year of that agreement.

But the federal government has made an announcement. I'm not confident that they have ironed out all...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There have been a number of engagements happening. There's a number still scheduled to happen. And through those engagements, we are hearing what the communities, what the childcare providers, what Indigenous governments want as a model. And we're hearing all of those options that the Member just identified. There's some communities, as he points out, where it's difficult to find a group or nonprofit to provide childcare. And in some communities, there's not enough children. Some communities, there's not a desire. So we'll never get to I don't think we'll likely ever...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought I heard a late 'nay' but thankfully it was late.

Mr. Speaker, there is more. In a continued effort to offer high quality high school education to our small communities, the expansion of Northern Distance Learning is almost complete. We are excited to welcome the communities of Gameti, Wekweetii, Norman Wells, and Colville Lake to Northern Distance Learning, bringing the total number of participating small community schools to 19.

As well, the Indigenous Our Languages Curriculum has been approved and is being taught in all NWT schools that offer Indigenous...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021, I will move that Bill 30, an act to amend the Aurora College Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm happy to speak with those organizations. They are in my community and many in my constituency, and some I've already discussed this very issue with. Can I confirm that there will be bussing? I can't at this point because, like I said, this is a decision of the South Slave District Education Council and the Hay River DEA. And if I could just write a cheque and make this go away, that's what I would do. But the fact is that the education system as it is is very decentralized, and that decisionmaking authority lies with those bodies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I don't find if acceptable, and the department doesn't find it acceptable either. That's why I've been working on this issue for more years than I would care to admit. If this was an issue where I could write a cheque, and problem solved, then we wouldn't be talking about it. As a Regular Member, I worked with the Hay River DEA because they require new buses, and as Minister, I was able to sign off on their purchase of new buses. And now we have a situation where they can't afford to use those buses. So perhaps I can take this opportunity to let people know how the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the health and prosperity of our territory begins with how well we prepare our children and youth to succeed in life. Making sure that every student from every background and region in the Northwest Territories has equitable access to relevant, culturally appropriate, and quality education will ultimately lead to improved wellbeing across the North and within all our communities.

The findings from both the Office of the Auditor General and the Education Renewal and Innovation Evaluation in 2020 are clear in outlining the main challenge we face: Key...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate the Member bringing forward solutions. Often all we hear is complaints with no way to address them. So I want to thank the Member for that.

There are some authorities for the Minister in the Education Act. I can direct the education council; they don't have to follow that direction. If they don't, I could dissolve the board. But this is something that is within their authority under the act. So it's not you know, I wouldn't have very solid ground for just dissolving this authority or dissolving the Education Council.

The other comment was about...