Caitlin Cleveland

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pretty sure right about now it's 5:17 in Toronto and someone is driving home, wishing that they weren't spending an hour and a half on the road and wishing they knew where to go and be there was opportunities for them to get wherever they needed to be in five minutes. And so I'm wondering if the Minister of finance is interested in putting together a targeted marketic plan to let fellow Canadians know what wonderful things the Northwest Territories has to offer and what opportunities they can come up here and take advantage of right away...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee urges the Government of the Northwest Territories to

Be innovative and identify options for increasing child day care spots at no or little cost including, but not limited to, changing the ratio of educators to children under two years of age by reducing the age of the infant category to children under 18 months of age. This would create additional spaces for children 18 months and older.

Completing negotiations with Housing Northwest Territories to allow licensed day care sorry, licensed child care to operate in public housing...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of finance today. Mr. Speaker, in the GNWT's response to last year's motion to match Canada's population growth, Cabinet said part of its population growth strategy is to retain residents that the NWT already has. How is the GNWT working to identify why NWT residents are actually leaving the territory so that they can specifically address what these reasons are. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories view the obligation to consult on regulations as an opportunity for innovation, inclusiveness, flexibility, and reconciliation, and be open to considering detailed feedback. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to welcome Karen Willy, executive director of the NWT Seniors Society. Karen is a retired public servant and we couldn't let her stay retired very long and so now she serves as executive director, and we thank you very much for your service. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories recognize that the actions started under the federal agreement have initiated systems change in the Northwest Territories early learning and child care sector and require immediate action by the Government of the Northwest Territories to reduce the volatility that may unfold;

And further, identify shortfalls in funding targets outside of the federal agreement focused on Northwest Territories needs including, but not limited to,

Capital and operating funding allocations;

Inc...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories review the appeals process in the Child Day care Act.

In the shortterm with the view to

Identify and make improvements to make sure that the Act clearly outlines out appeals can be requested and considered; and,

Clarify how complaints and appeal processes are distinguished in the Act; and,

Recommend how administrative decisions are made fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the legislation.

And,

In the longterm, with the view to

Fully review the appeals section;

Include...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories

Provide investigative training to all staff involved in the complaints and appeals processes;

Make this training obligatory for all staff involved; and,

Build competence by ensuring that investigations are not vexatious and are appropriately carried out.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories

Form an advisory group, including representation from all parties;

Review the 2030 Early Learning and Child Care Strategy on the inclusion of child care operators in goals and visions;

Establish and share a Northwest Territories vision and mission of the early learning and child care sector, including principles and explaining where the federal child care agreements fit, requiring fiveyear reviews to check if the Northwest Territories is fulfilling its vision;

Condu...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Bill 68, An Act to Amend the Child Day Care Act, received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on November 3rd, 2022, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review.

In its review, committee was disappointed to find that the scope of Bill 68 was narrow. That narrow scope made it challenging to propose any full-scale amendments.

It was important to the committee to hear from the public on this bill because the committee is alive to the fact that day care legislation affects families in a real way across the Northwest...