Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When we looked at this motion and looked at it, I went out and did some research. I talked to a number of people including Mr. Oliver and some of the people on the committee. Basically, from my understanding in talking with the people there is that it is a minimum of 945, but a majority, except for maybe one school presently has over 1000 hours in senior high from 10 to 12. This group, this committee is looking at it and saying that there is a minimum 945.

As my friend from Yellowknife Centre talked about, we do need more teachers. I love what Alberta has done. They have...

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...

Thank you, Ms. Gardiner. Thanks for the answer. I guess, to me, red flags. You want to learn something? You had nobody from the coalition apply for this. That, to me, is a big red flag. Have you guys taken this as an opportunity to learn something from this? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, and I thank the Minister for her answer. Four of my communities are designated authorities, and four of these communities actually provide all of the municipal services. Again, when we are talking about this, this is a concern for me. Again, when we look at job descriptions, a band manager is the same thing as an SAO. What is the difference between these job descriptions? Are they similar? Are we utilizing existing resources to modify these resources that they are going to provide to the designated authorities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank my colleague from the Deh Cho.

Recommended Actions

That the Department of Education, Culture and Employment review and adjust its school funding formulae to ensure that additional funding accounts for new JK students in Inclusive Schooling, Aboriginal Language and Culture-based Education, and transportation funding from the 2017-2018 school year on;

That the Department of Education, Culture and Employment report annually on the implementation of the Strengthening Teacher Instructional Practices pilot project and the Junior Kindergarten Program, including an...

Mr. Speaker, there are without any doubts impediments when it comes to accessing quality food for affordable prices in the North, especially for the economically disadvantaged. It is such a problem that even food banks are now charging a user fee for each flat of donated food that an individual or family will receive. It is understandable that being in remote communities causes higher freight and transportation costs for retailers and so they must mark up their products to compensate for the additional costs. Although these mark-ups are implemented to ensure the retailers maintain their...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for her answer. I guess I am a little concerned, though, that it is not information that is shared with all clients. I know in my riding a number of the clients have asked, looking for a small part, you know, a small portion of material like tiles and that. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister be willing to look at or engage her department in looking at this as an opportunity to discuss this with clients and maybe in the future that they have that option available to them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for her answer. Mr. Speaker, is this something that is explained to the clients before they sign the necessary contracts, so are they well aware of this process?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 100(4) to have Committee Report 10-18(2): Report of the Standing Committee on Social Development on the Review of Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Education Act, moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.