Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement earlier, my questions are directed to the Minister of Education. My first question, Mr. Speaker, is: my constituents are concerned about the low student achievements in the Sahtu. Indigenous government leaders in the region are interested in working more closely with ECE and other education bodies towards improving education achievement and outcomes. What is the department willing to commit to in regards to engaging with local leadership on the direction of education in the region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, just this past month, I came together with the Sahtu leadership in the beautiful community of Deline to discuss the delivery of education in our region and benefitted from the work of my esteemed colleague from the Deh Cho riding, Mr. Nadli, in this area. Through these discussions and many others, I have greater appreciation of the challenges we face and will have questions for the Minister responsible later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, in general comments to the bill here, my colleague here from Kam Lake had mentioned what the government can do here. What we have been suggested by various reports is to reform our regulatory system to make it more certain and more flexible. However, that is our job, to legislate the balance of what is certain. Keeping this community or this territory to move up into the attractive world of a climate for investment is exactly what we are doing. When I ask, when I see revenues outside of our TFF, I look at industry's presence for that shortfall, and the longer we can...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the response from the Minister. This leads me to my last question. We did a number of consultations these past summer months, in particular, a conference forum we had with the leadership of the Sahtu and Deline, at which time, we had learned a number of weaknesses and gaps in the current delivery system.

Recognizing those weaknesses or needs for improvement, will the Minister commit to issuing a letter or issuing a suggestion in a transitional report from the department to the 19th Assembly to have the 19th Assembly revisit the reform of the Education Act so it...

Thanks to the Minister for the answer, assurances of collaboration and partnership and working together, which leads me to my next question: I am aware of the education initiatives which are in place to support student achievements. Yet, one measurable, graduation rates, continue to be lower than other parts of the jurisdiction of Canada. Is it possible to conduct a review of education in the Sahtu to better understand what is needed to support our students and families?

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, welcome back. As we conclude our last sitting of the 18th Assembly and as a first term MLA representing Sahtu, consensus government has provided me with a broader perspective on collaboration and partnerships. These are fundamental principles of engagements in achieving political support for economic sustainable growth, principles to enhancing and improving the Sahtu residents to overcome challenges for improved programs and services, residents who supported my presence here in this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, our students and residents in Colville Lake will...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I agree with the statements and comments made by the Member from Kam Lake, in short. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for that allowance. When it comes to diamond mining, we have also talked a lot in this House about opportunities to manufacture diamonds. Can the Minister give us an update on the department's work regarding the NWT secondary diamond industry? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Minister for that reply. That is good news there. Can the Minister tell me what his department is doing to support or promote this exploration and interest?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. June the 1st to the 8th is NWT Mining Week, an industry that is vibrant and a provider of benefits to many NWT residents, community donation recipients, workers, trainees, the business community, and government.

Mr. Speaker, mining is still key to the northern economy. In the earlier days, mineral potential began in the Sahtu along the shores of Great Bear Lake. Today's signs and exploration preliminary results show evidence of that continued potential in the region. There is a possibility this area can become a major player in contributions to the post-devolution GDP.

T...