Alfred Moses

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and yes, I do. Mr. Chair, Members, I am pleased to present the 20182019 Main Estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Overall, the department's estimates proposed an increase of $12.462 million or 4 per cent over the 20172018 Main Estimates. Improving education outcomes and student success requires ongoing support from early childhood to postsecondary education and training, and our 20182019 Main Estimates reflect this approach.

The highlights of our main estimates include:

$2.7 million from the federal Early Learning and Childcare Agreement that...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate all the comments and feedback with all Members of committee as well as the Assembly here. We've also heard from our education leaders. We do meet with them on a regular basis, and some of the concerns that were raised here today were some of the concerns that were brought forward with our education partners as well. So we definitely are listening and trying to make those changes that will be in the best interest of our staff as well as our students.

Beginning with the inclusive schooling for junior kindergarten, I know it was brought up by everyone here...

Yes.

One of the focuses of the ATOC Strategy is to create jobs for northern residents where opportunities provide themselves, and I think the project for Stanton was a big part of that, or any of our industry opportunities where our Northerners can get jobs in the industry field. Specifically for this Stanton project, I'm not sure if there were targets set, but I can find that out from my other colleagues here and get back to the Member.

The ATOC Strategy, when we did release it, we wanted to increase participation in the skills, trades, and occupations as well as improving completion rates of...

I did mention that we are working with the departments to see what the overall supports that the GNWT as a whole gives to the arts community as well as culture and heritage. Once we get those numbers, we can start having further discussions moving forward, but that work has to be done first. Currently, I do not have a timeline, but, as soon as we get that information, we will be sharing with Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Any support that we get from third parties or any of our partners in terms of supporting our culture, our heritage, and our arts programs here in the Northwest Territories is greatly appreciated, and I know our staff work very hard to try to access those funds. However, I do not have that information on hand with me right now, but once I do get that information I will be happy to share it with the Member and committee and all Members who are interested in knowing how much we are supporting the artists in the Northwest Territories in taxes and other sources of funding.

Mr. Speaker, we have an ambitious postsecondary agenda that is part of the mandate of this government. Undertaking the Foundational Review of the Aurora College, working with the college on a renewed long-term strategic plan, and creating a legislative framework to recognize postsecondary institutions will allow us to expand opportunities for postsecondary education for the Northwest Territories residents.

The Aurora College Foundational Review is on schedule and will be delivered to me by March 31st. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all Members of this House for their consideration and...

A strong labour market is critical to the NWT's economic future. We know that there are jobs out there. We have projects that are on the go throughout the Northwest Territories, and we want to provide the skills and the opportunities for Northerners to fill those jobs and be certified and be ready when new opportunities come up.

Specifically for that project, like I said, I don't know the numbers or if there were actually rates and targets that were set, but I can find out that information and get back to the Member. With all large projects in the NWT, we obviously want to have Northerners fill...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Members know, we did release the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification Strategy in May of last year. The implementation of the strategy is being guided by the advisory committee, as well as working groups comprised largely of industry stakeholders, so I think it's about time that we do get an update, so we will be working with the working groups, as well as the advisory committee to get an update, and we'll be happy to share that information with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I do agree. The NWT Arts Council does play a very important role as an advisory board to me as Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I did mention yesterday that I will be working with the Minister of ITI to look at options moving forward in terms of whether it is a strategy or how we can work better together and more collaboratively and, obviously, having the NWT Arts Council play a pivotal role in that. They are the ones who we assign to the boards, and they are the ones with the expertise who also help give us direction on how these funds are being allocated throughout the...