Alfred Moses

It's great to see that DJSS has great working relationships with the Hay River Metis and the Government Council. We also see that up in my region, where the IRC has taken one of the leading roles to help their students succeed, as well. As a government, we do provide inclusive schooling funding to all, well above the legislated amounts that we have, and work with our education authorities, our superintendents, board chairs, to ensure that services are being provided to assist those with special needs in the communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment does not decide what courses are being offered each semester within their respective schools. That is the responsibility of the school administration in consultation with the superintendents of education. DJSS could offer dash-4 courses, dash-1 courses, but it is the responsibility of the school administration and the superintendent. I think that needs to be brought up to the superintendent as well as brought forth to the administration of the school.

As I mentioned, I am going to have to have this discussion with my colleagues. We also have an advisory board with the NWT Arts Council. There are going to be some discussions that need to happen before we come back. I do not have a timeline. In due course, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it is more than just my department that will need to take a look at this in terms of the economic work and jobs that this arts sector creates. It is going to have to be a whole government approach when we take a look at this. We will be looking at that, as I mentioned in my previous questions, and then come back to the House to give up these numbers.

I also want to point out that the funding that we have given to the NWT Arts Council has been protected from any reductions moving forward, as well, and that we continue to support the arts sector and, as I mentioned in my previous answer, that we are going to be looking collectively at our contributions with all GNWT departments to see how much we are actually contributing and supporting the NWT arts community. Then we will have those discussions afterwards.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, the NWT Arts Council Strategic Plan is coming to an end this year. We are working with the Department of ITI to look at options on creating a new NWT Arts Strategy. Obviously, we want to also involve our advisory body with the arts council and standing committee when we are looking at these options. We will proceed with those options, and, after discussions with the Department of ITI, we will come back to the Members of the Legislative Assembly.

We do have a few projects on the go. We're looking at a mid-life retrofit, including all major building systems within the Lutsel K'e Dene School; obviously, at Ecole Alain St-Cyr, we're still continuing to do work there; Mangilaluk School, in Tuktoyaktuk, we're putting some additions; the Charles Tetcho School, in Trout Lake, we are continuing to do some work there. That has been some of our major programs that we have got on tap here for 2018-2019. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, yes, the Member is right. Within the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, we have a needs assessment, a 20-year needs assessment, and we review it on an annual basis and update it on an annual basis. As you know, within the department, we have to look after schools, colleges, learning centres, libraries, museums, and make a priority out of those infrastructures, not to mention looking at the priorities of other departments within this government. As the Member knows, any time we look at putting in additional space or make it a new school, the...

As always, we are committed to looking at all of our assets and our infrastructure within all the areas that I mentioned earlier on a yearly basis and update them. Currently for this year, we are allocating about $223,000 for small capital funding, and that will be allocated for site demolition and removal for the hazardous portables and the creation of a play space for the students and the community.

We are also working with the hamlet to address some of the issues around safety for the students who are walking from within the community to the school; and also looked at possibly how we can...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, this is a very special motion, and a very genuine motion for the clerk before us. It is a very special day, as well, in terms of celebrating and acknowledging the work, commitments, dedication, sacrifice from one of our own, Mr. Doug Schauerte, here at the House. He has committed himself and dedicated himself not only to what goes on in this House, but to Members, past and present, as well as residents of the Northwest Territories. He has been a mentor and a role model, not only to Members of the Legislative Assembly, but among his staff and his peers. I have...