Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Lifelong learning, skills development, training, and employability are major priorities of the 18th Assembly, but progress in these areas has been difficult and slow. Government initiatives on junior kindergarten and school instructional hours have demanded a significant proportion of the department's and committees' limited time. The department's progress was continually challenged by funding shortfalls and poor, inconsistent communication.

The cost and availability of childcare is a growing concern, but the department is not on track to fulfill its commitment to a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Terry Jaffray, or Teresa Jaffray, as I found out her real name was today, or yesterday, actually, and her husband Brian Jaffray, who both are constituents in my riding, as well as Mayada Echtay, who is one of my new constituents' assistant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess my concern is: when asked the question are we going into business against a company that is in my riding? In my riding, we have a company that deals in the Sahtu and down the river to the Fort Liard in Nahendeh. Is this company, MTS, going to be in business against the company that is in my riding? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Minister for that answer. It is great to hear that this is starting to happen. I am happy to see we have got an increase of 2.3 per cent of tourists coming into our territorial parks, and, in my riding, 49.84 per cent have seen an increase at Blackstone. To me, these sites are important. Roadside assistance is important to clean them and that. Is the Minister able to share with us the schedule, or is maintenance just done day-to-day?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have seen in the news and my colleagues and the Cabinet have heard people talk about turn-offs and the shape that they are in, and in my riding people are asking who is responsible for this. I assumed it was ITI or ENR or both of them, but I was not totally sure. Can the Minister responsible for Infrastructure identity who is responsible for what with these road turnoffs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my constituent, Miss Bernice Hardisty-Isaiah, for receiving the Premier's Award for collaboration for implementation of the NWT cancer strategy. I've had the pleasure of working with Bernice in previous positions and I'm happy to see her hard work recognized. With a big heart and sympathetic spirit, she has always been dedicated to the entire well-being. On behalf of the region, I would like to express the pride we have in her for receiving this work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the school year is ending very soon and grad season is about to begin. In my riding, there are two high schools, Acho Dene School in Fort Liard and Thomas Simpson High School in Fort Simpson. The Fort Simpson school accommodates students from Wrigley, Sambaa K'e, Nahanni Butte, and Jean Marie River. The two schools will be hosting their graduation ceremonies on June 15th and June 17th respectively.

Mr. Speaker we will see 19 high school students graduate. They will represent part of the future work force, and I am proud of them for completing the first of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I think that alleviates some concerns in my riding about Esso at that point in time. I am good with what was spoken of. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My general comments are going to be short and brief. We went out and went to three communities. We have heard over 237 responses through e-mails and letters. Committee provided and listened to what people and teachers and administrators said. We are making two recommendations here to the floor to make a decision to amend the bill, and at that time, we will discuss those. I will have further comments during those amendments. I would like to thank everybody for their commitment and hard work to this. It was very interesting and very challenging. We would like to thank all...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for the 150 years update. It was very important to hear that I think for the third or fourth time here. I now understand that John Howard Society is 150 years old. It has been in the Northwest Territories for 23 years. Thank you very much. However, I guess my big concern is you went out, talked to his organization, and gave them from a one-year term to a four-year term. You did not follow the same process given out to everybody else. To me, I am not worried about John Howard Society so much as the process. You basically said to the coalition that...