Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am just going on for the record, again, saying that this is probably one of the silliest cuts I have seen, and I do not support this. However, I am going to have to have an internal struggle with the budget. I have had the conversation with some people here about whether I am going to support it or not, but right now, this is an internal struggle I have. I honestly believe that these games belong to the Northwest Territories, and the Government of the Northwest Territories should be putting money into it and not taking it out of lotteries. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. He didn't answer my question. I understand what he thinks is reasonable. I am asking: did the department look at 3 per cent when they were coming up with the numbers? I heard 5, and I understand that is the number that the department looked at, but did the department look at 3 per cent, and if they did, do they have those numbers that they can share with us? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When I was interviewed, part of the interview process was about the Social Work Program and the Teacher Education Program. Through the foundational review, one of the questions was in regards to that.

I guess I am a little concerned. The foundational review has this broad picture, and then the program review has a narrow picture. Is the Minister saying that the foundational review is the one that we are going to move forward with, or is it just saying that the foundational review will not be used when it comes to the social work and the TEP program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Minister, and I don't take any offence at it, because I'm good trying to find things in here. So I greatly appreciate it, and I appreciate that information. So I guess we're going through a process here, and I'm just trying to understand: we've already put money into the system, correct? So are we going to see the plan at some point in time, after the consultation during this fiscal year? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess this still concerns me, that we're expecting three to support Yellowknife, Sahtu, and Deh Cho, which is probably about two thirds of the school population in that area, and then we have three in the North. It does concern me there, but I guess it comes down to the simple fact that we need these positions and in the regions. I still have not bought into these teams of three. We're going to have costs. We're going to have more costs to get from here to the South Slave, from here to the Deh Cho. You know, there's going to be cost to it; and the Tlicho; I forgot all...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I realize it was kind of a unique crossover with Finance, and I appreciate the Minister working with the Minister of Finance to get this information out there. With the challenges of no alternative fuels in the short term, how will the government mediate cost-of-living increases being imposed on residents by this carbon tax? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister confirm that we have guidance counsellors positions in Fort Providence, Fort Liard, and Fort Simpson presently? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to thank the Minister for that answer. I greatly appreciate they are potentially looking at that. My next question is: what actions has the government taken to help Nahendeh communities reduce diesel usage, especially for the smaller communities?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand being reflective of the territory. I guess I'm a little bit concerned that Beau-Del and the Sahtu are getting three. Yellowknife, Deh Cho, South Slave are only getting three, as well. Yellowknife could actually probably have one or two strictly by themselves. Can the Minister or the department explain why we haven't looked at what is collectively good for the territories and put one in each region? Thank you, Mr. Chair.