R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, it is. I would have liked to see more progress on this during the life of this government, but we had quite an ambitious mandate. We dealt with COVID. And we weren't able to put the time into working on integrating services the way I would have liked to see. But it is definitely still a priority for us and for me personally. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So it sounds like we're on a new line of questioning here about how the GNWT is working with Indigenous governments for education.

So obviously the Education Act modernization is going to be one of the center pieces of that engagement. I've had a number of meetings with Indigenous governments, as Cabinet where the issue of education is discussed, many meetings where education is the sole issue being discussed. We're of course working with the Tlicho government on Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, working with Colville Lake on their school. There's locally developed courses...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So we don't have the capacity to engage in, you know, the very intensive process of developing MOUs while we are also working on phase 1. So once this phase 1 work is completed sometime in the new year, we will begin working on the MOUs for phase 2. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, as employment levels reach historic heights, tight labour markets are being experienced across the Northwest Territories and Canada. To address labour shortages, the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to strengthen our northern workforce through legislation, funding programs, academic and technical supports, and enhanced programs and policies.

Madam Speaker, Skills 4 Success is the GNWT’s overarching labour market framework. Its purpose is to improve employment success for NWT residents, close skill gaps for indemand jobs, and more effectively respond to employer...

Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 63, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Official Languages Act to update the preamble to

Recognize the legacy of colonialism on Indigenous languages in the Northwest Territories and reaffirm the commitment of the government to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

Clarify and strengthen the role of the Languages Commissioner;

Merge the Official Languages Board and Aboriginal Languages Revitalization...

Madam Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 68, An Act to Amend the Child Daycare Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So when we went out and engaged on the Education Act, we did reach out to everyone. Students were encouraged to participate. If anyone wants to each out to me directly, any students want to write emails, even have meetings, I'm happy to do that. I'm also we're also creating the Minister's Student Advisory Council. And so I'll have engagement through that. But if any students want to provide input on education, the education system, curriculum, anything, I would be happy to hear it. I would be more than happy to hear it; I encourage it. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So as I've said, we haven't started on those so I can't answer the question. These MOUs don't currently exist. At some point in the new year, in 2023, I will have an answer. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish. Unfortunately, there's likely going to be at least one or two or three more time changes. Of course, we've recently engaged with the public. There was a sixweek engagement session. Within the first couple days, there were thousands of responses, and 3,500 about 3,500 responses to the question of "do you want to get rid of seasonal time change?" And 87 percent, so over 3,000 of those 3,500 people, wanted to get rid of seasonal time change.

When it comes to sticking with daylight savings, or standard time, the territory's a bit more split. Just over half wanted...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Cabinet will be abstaining from this vote. I have looked at the bill; there's nothing objectionable in there but we need to give it due consideration. There's work that needs to be done and so we will do that work. But we're not going to stand in the way of this from proceeding. Thank you.