Alfred Moses

Yes, and we also support our students going to those institutions for post-secondary program. In 2016-2017, there was over $60 million paid in Student Financial Assistance benefits supporting our students to go to post-secondary education down south. We continue to work with partners at the University of Alberta, University of Regina, University of Saskatoon, University of Victoria, for some programs that we currently are delivering within the Aurora College, and we will continue to enhance and build on those partnerships.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The process with junior kindergarten has been going on for over four years. We have 20 communities that offer great programs. We have seen some really good results and some really good successes in those communities, with an increased development in some of our students that are entering our education system. We have been meeting regularly with DECs as well as superintendents. I'm not sure if the Member is speaking on behalf of all the education authorities across the Northwest Territories, as he has stated, but we are seeing some really good headway in junior...

As I mentioned earlier, under the IRCC, it is a full responsibility of the federal government. I can't make decisions or go and tell federal government what to do in terms of immigration into the Northwest Territories, here. However, I can make a commitment to bring this concern and issue up to the federal officials. Also with the family members that the Member is talking about, I encourage them to come see our department officials and see how we can work out some type of arrangement or something that we can learn a little bit more about their case. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do have a great nominee program here in the Northwest Territories. The waiting time is probably one of the best in all of Canada. However, with the family reunification that the Member is speaking about, that is solely the full responsibility of the federal government's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. They have made some changes. However, the changes that they have made are outside of the NWT, our territorial nominee program, as well as our current agreement with Canada.

However, seeing as that is an important issue and we do want to reunite families...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following ten documents entitled "Beaufort-Delta Education Council Consolidated Annual Financial Report, June 30, 2016," "Commission scolaire francophone Territoires du Nord-Ouest Consolidated Financial Statements, June 30, 2016," "Detah District Education Authority Consolidated Financial Statements, June 30, 2016," "Consolidated Financial Statements of Dehcho Divisional Education Council, June 30, 2016," "K'alemi Dene School (Ndilo District Education Authority) Consolidated Financial Statements, June 30, 2016," "Consolidated Financial Statements of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That strategy is right now, I believe, going to committee if not already in committee's hands, but, as I mentioned, this is full responsibility of the federal department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. I can't tell them what to do. We can advocate for them though, and we can bring these concerns up to our federal counterparts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Our nominee program here, in the Northwest Territories, has actually been increasing over the years, 25 per cent almost on a yearly basis. We exceeded our nominee program last year, and we are looking to exceed last year's nominee program this upcoming year. We will continue to promote nominee and immigration to the Northwest Territories. As for the lottery program and the way reunification happens through lotteries, I don't have that specific information for any families here, in the Northwest Territories. I will get that information from the department and get it back to the Member.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to recognize eight individuals who have made a strong and lasting impression on northern education, and were inducted into the Northwest Territories Education Hall of Fame today: Annie Felix from Tuktoyaktuk, Teresa Jaffray from Fort Simpson, Merril Dean from Yellowknife, Al McDonald from Yellowknife, Denise Bowen from Yellowknife, Chuck Lirette from Hay River, Shane Brewster from Inuvik, and Dave Roebuck from Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank and recognize their families and their guests. Many have travelled to be here today for...

To my right, I have my assistant deputy minister of Education and Culture, Ms. Rita Mueller, and Mr. Michael Reddy with our legislative division. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the Education Act, it requires that, when providing operation and maintenance funds to education bodies, the Department of Culture, Education and Employment must allow for a student ratio of 16 to 1. Funding for inclusive schooling supports equals to 15 per cent of all operations and maintenance funds provided in a financial year.

In terms of inclusive schooling, we do add our students. There is a good chance that we will still be above the legislated levels, and adding junior kindergarten, we will still be around somewhere like 13.1 or 13.4, so we will still be...