Inuvik Boot Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 6)

We would be pleased to provide updates to the Member on how things are proceeding with this project as well as with the Ministerial directive once we get those all in line and up-to-date and reviewed. With the potential of the work that we're going to be doing moving forward, we will continue to keep all Members updated on this project and the work done on the Ministerial directive.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 6)

I do hear the Member in terms of enrolment. As mentioned earlier in the session, we did give direction to the department on that Ministerial directive to get reviewed, so hopefully we can get more students in the French first language schools. When I mentioned that we're just in the planning stages, the discussions, the budget for the expansion has not yet been voted on in the Legislative Assembly, mainly because we have to get the planning done, and consideration for that planning done and brought forth in this Assembly. As you know, we just completed our mandate yesterday so once that...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 6)

Our main post-secondary institution, Aurora College, does receive the majority of its funding from the GNWT. They also receive third-party funding from the Government of Canada, as well as other education and training partners, and also through student tuition. Other private institutions like College nordique and Dechinta, they're able to get funding from the GNWT through funding proposals. Also, I understand that there is federal funding that some of these private organizations can access funding from.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do agree that education is very important, especially post-secondary education in the Northwest Territories. There's many options that we have. Obviously, going to one of our Aurora College campuses. We currently have three campuses in the Northwest Territories. We also have 23 community learning centres, so when the Member brings up that in our small communities it is tough, we do try to accommodate. There's also private institutions such as the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning. As the Member mentioned in his Member’s statement, the College nordique...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 6)

Personally, I haven't been in contact with the heritage federal Minister. The department, however, has been in contact with the federal government on possible contributions to this project. However, no specific commitments have been made. As you know, the budget for the federal government will be coming out next month and we're also in a new government as well, moving forward. Once everything is up to speed we will keep the Members up-to-date on what's going on with this project.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department and the government is committed to meeting its obligations under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Education Act. Steps to implement the NWT Court of Appeal decision are being undertaken. There was a delay in the process, as I believe there was an appeal to the Appeal Court decision. We were just waiting, and then when the Supreme Court had declined to hear the appeal, that's when the department started moving forward and having discussions with Commission scolaire francophone Territoires du Nord-Ouest on the planned...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 6)

I did mention three earlier in my previous answer: Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, College nordique francophone, the Sub-Arctic Leadership Training Program for religious instruction. We also have the Stanton Eye Clinic, every few years one program is offered to become a technician, as well as, I mentioned earlier, many distance learning opportunities for students that want to pursue further post-secondary education.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

The department will look at reviewing this option and bring back those options to the Member.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this case, with universal daycare, it is just a feasibility study at this time that was tabled during life of the 17th Legislative Assembly. The department is looking at the study itself and seeing what options we can develop moving forward within the 18th Assembly. We are implementing the Right from the Start Early Childhood Development Framework and creating an action plan associated with it. At this time, we're looking at putting our efforts into the work that was done in partnership with Health and Social Services during the 17th Legislative Assembly, and...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Obviously, we've been having some very successful results with the e-learning program that we have. We’ve brought it down now into some of the southern parts of the Northwest Territories. That's one option. Other options that the Member might want to look at when he's speaking in the community, or when the parents are speaking with the DEC and the superintendent, is possibly busing students to Fort McPherson, which is closer than going to Inuvik, and keeping them in their communities.