Alfred Moses

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, this would be the area, under policy legislation and communications.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When it comes to communication, the strategy that we do develop, it's sometimes on a case-by-case basis depending on what's being discussed. We're also working on a protocol with all the board chairs to make sure that we do all work together in getting the right message across throughout the NWT to all the communities when we come up with discussions such as inclusive schooling or junior kindergarten, and that's what we're working on right now. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my right, I have my deputy minister, Ms. Sylvia Haener, and on my left, Mr. Olin Lovely, assistant deputy minister of corporate services. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're still working on some of the details, not only this but some other initiatives in terms of the way we communicate not only to the MLAs but to residents of the Northwest Territories. We're working with our communications staff as well as with the executive on how we give out the same message. So we're working on making our protocols more tight and making sure that we have precise and concise messaging to the public moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

As I mentioned earlier, the department has worked with CFSTNO to look at creating that final schematic design based on the Court of Appeal order, which was two years ago. There was agreement on that design to move forward with option, and the RFP did go out with an option of the expansion. I do understand that the CFSTNO was looking for third-party funding, and we did make a submission as well to Heritage Canada, but yet have not heard any commitment of funding moving forward.

Thank you. We have had officials speaking with Alberta officials, but I also mentioned that Alberta has taken a different model as well and being flexible in the way they teach their hours, as I had answered questions in the House I think to the Member for Nahendeh when he was asking the questions earlier this week. As I mentioned, these plans aren't going to be divulged until the end of March for each school, and we can ensure that we give the supports to the principals and the teachers as they're developing these plans. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The department did present and work with CFSTNO on a schematic design and finalized it based on what the Court of Appeal had brought forth and, in fact, the department has committed to assuming responsibility for funding of the project in its entirety based on the final design, which was more than what was recommended out of the NWT Court of Appeal, and that's the design that we are going with.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I mentioned, we did use media. We got the information on our website. The department did a technical media briefing. We also sent technical packages out to all MLAs regarding the information on the agreement that was made. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We can take a look into the unique situation. Obviously, it is right across the Northwest Territories. We do have a lot of communities that don't have access by roads. However, all the factors, all the indicators that we do when we measure the benefits I believe take all that into consideration when we are looking at clients who are on income assistance. We can take a look at that unique situation. However, I think everything that I have said today takes every community, every individual and unique situation every community has and it is calculated to the best interests...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do have good partnerships with the education authorities. They also play a role in these pilots and the work that is being done. They are the front line to the parents. They are the ones that see the parents most of the time with the boards, as well as the superintendent and the principals. That would be the best way to get that information out, is to have our school boards and educational authorities getting that information out to the parents. Thank you, Mr. Chair.