Bob Bromley

I take from that that the Minister does not agree that the northern experts in early childhood education at the Aboriginal Head Start program have much to offer in the sphere of early childhood education, which I think is a travesty and a mistreatment of our public.

Many professional educators in the Northwest Territories feel that the hybrid curriculum for Junior Kindergarten proposed by ECE is inappropriate for four-year-old children. Aboriginal Head Start experts agree and are opposed to the curriculum as it now stands. This is based on the 17 years of on-the-ground experience.

Why isn’t the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to, as we begin Seniors Month, recognize the NWT and Yellowknife seniors, in particular a couple of Weledeh residents, starting with my mother, Barb Bromley; Barb Hood, president of the NWT Seniors; and I would like to join my colleagues in recognizing all the inductees of the Education Hall of Fame today. I listened to their comments and their commendations, astounding dedication and service on behalf of the people, especially the wee people of the Northwest Territories, which I know the seniors will appreciate too.

Could I just mention Val Carter? It was...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I notice foster care homes are on there, the screening and reviewing. One of the biggest opportunities we have are grandparents. They are such an incredible mechanism out there for looking after families and keeping families together and so on, and yet we continually fail to support them to the degree that they may be part of these exhibits. Mrs. Groenewegen I heard in the House just the other day speaking to this. I think all of us have spoken at one time or another. I have current issues with constituents where, because the children are not formally adopted, we’re not...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the update. I think we did try and address this in the 16th Assembly and I think we did it late, but we didn’t really pursue it to the point of actually getting something done in the 16th. I think, although time may be short, that is apparently what has to happen. We need to take this on and actually demonstrate some real progress in this Assembly. Albeit, time is short and I appreciate the Minister’s steps and I’ll be certainly working with my colleagues to make sure that this comes to some real realization for people and families on the ground.

So, I will be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that in recognition of the clear public concern about fracking, the Government of the Northwest Territories immediately refrain from supporting any hydraulic fracturing proposals until a full and public assessment has been completed that demonstrates that the impacts of fracking and related development on the North are better understood and demonstrates that it can manage this technology in a way that ensures the integrity...

Thanks to the Minister. Will the Minister ask his federal colleague why the delay and report back to the House? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment. I’d like to follow up from my Member’s statement of earlier today on Giant Mine. As both a proponent and a regulator, I’m asking the Minister if he could ask himself and tell us when you will sign the agreed upon environmental assessment for Giant Mine and allow its implementation. Thank you.

Thanks to the Minister. This is the impression adults with FASD often have. I didn’t accuse the department of that. Thanks for that thorough description of the services available.

Families put a tremendous amount of time, resources and love into caring for children with FASD who are now adults. When these children grow up, they often remain in the care of their families. Caring for someone with FASD can be difficult, as the Minister knows, and the families become highly stressed and the person confused. They do not know if there is help or how to find it or access it. So perhaps it’s a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, also known as FASD, affects many people in the North. It impacts every aspect of their daily lives in the way they interact and participate in society. It often causes them to act in ways considered harmful to the community or themselves.

My first question to the Minister of Health and Social Services is: Does the department consider FASD a treatable condition, or is it considered to be a lifelong chronic condition requiring continuous support? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ll probably be delayed on the answer, but if it could be done during this session so the public is informed, that would be appreciated. Thanks for that commitment.

Work is needed, definitely needed. It’s a situation that we want to get resolved, and work is underway, but there is also the need for oversight to make sure it’s being done in the way that everybody has agreed upon.

Is the delay being done on purpose to delay public oversight? Thank you.