Charles Dent

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no intent within the department to review the program right now to include the cost of telephone as one of the basic expenses. The expectation is that the amount that’s in the program is one that allows people to make choices as to what they will spend their money on. I recognize that there are some who feel the program is not adequate, but I have started the process of discussing with the standing committee the adequacy of the program and we have had some initial discussions and are planning to carry that on through the month of June. I am...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important ways we're going to do it, as I announced earlier this session, is we're going to be offering the full four-year bachelor of education program in the Northwest Territories. We're going to make sure that northerners have an opportunity to complete their training right through to the bachelor's baccalaureate level, and make sure that we have more qualified northerners available to teach in the classrooms. That is the most important way we're going to support this at first.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I would argue that that amount has been negotiated at the bargaining table by the NWTTA and, therefore, isn't something that we can arbitrarily change. I think that the amount of funding that is provided for education leave for teachers is considered quite attractive in comparison to what's available in other jurisdictions, so I think we've done quite well there.

The other thing that's important to remember is that the aboriginal language and culture instructor program by the college is offered in conjunction with the divisional education councils in the region...

Public safety is a concern of many residents in the Northwest Territories. This government is addressing this concern through a partnership of governments, police and residents. Today I will highlight some of the innovative partnerships that are working to make our communities safer.

The Department of Justice is working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to improve public safety by enhancing policing services. Working together to identify and meet the RCMP's resource demands has resulted in this government including 12 new officer positions in the 2004-2005 budget.

Six of these officers...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I am confident that the facility is safe, and what we are doing, as the Member will have probably noticed, is that there have been a number of positions advertised. So we are moving to fill some of the positions that have been filled on a casual basis, and we will have more permanent staff who will be able to take the training, and hopefully that will reduce the number of overtime shifts that are required. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess there is a question as to which is more important. The program pays right now the full cost of rent. So there is an agreement that is not calculated as part of the amount that you have to justify. The program does pay the full cost, but most other things are considered the client’s choice. The expenses are added up as to what a person has and brings to the table, and then an amount is provided as a top up. So it’s entirely up to people right now to decide whether they choose to spend the money on a phone. It’s essential to point out that there have been...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I have already begun the process of reviewing the program with the standing committee and listen to the committee and work with them as we work through this. Stipulated expenses like rent, for instance, we pay the actual cost. The overall allowance that comes out, we expect people will make choices as to what they spend the money on. Therefore, at this point, it’s up to clients whether they believe the telephone is an essential expense. Thank you.

There are a number of other things that we do. We support aboriginal language and culture through the development of the curriculum Dene Kede, and making sure that teachers in the classroom have access to resources so that they can better offer the program. But another important way that we're going to make sure that language is supported is through programs like the language nest. We ensure that kids come to school knowing that they are able to speak their language and, with some assistance, making sure the communities know that really much of the language learning has to be happening at...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government has a wide range of bursaries available for students, and students in the TEP program who are studying aboriginal languages would qualify for those bursaries, as well. There are health bursaries, there are bursaries for law students, there are bursaries and grants that are based usually on academic performance. So there are opportunities for students already to take advantage of grants and bursaries. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would agree with Mr. Delorey that we should try and minimize any expenses in these sorts of situations and maximize the payments that would be going to affected individuals. I will certainly look into whether or not we can, in the future at least, find a way to use government properties for storage and I’ll report back to the Member what my findings are. Thank you.