Charles Dent

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was advised around noon, shortly before we began in the House today, that this was happening and asked whether or not it actually fit within the policy for income support. I am not able to answer that question right now. I have contacted the department and asked them to provide me with some advice on that.

Typically I do know that almost all forms of income that people receive are considered when the level of support from income support is being calculated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that some forms of assistance that are provided subject to treaties are exempt from calculation when we’re examining how much support to provide somebody on income support, but it is specified sources. That income has to come from a specified source. I’m not sure if the payments to harvesters are specified, and I have asked the department to look into that and advise me. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. On February 24th and 25th, I met with the Chairs of the NWT education bodies, including the Chairs of the divisional education councils, the Commission Scolaire Francophone de Division, the two Yellowknife district education authorities and Aurora College.

I discussed with the Chairs the comments and suggestions made by Members of this Assembly regarding schooling. I noted that Members expressed how important schooling is to the futures of our students and our Territory.

The Chairs and I discussed a number of issues including the importance of student...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on March 31, 2004, the opening ceremony for the North Slave Adult Correctional Centre will take place.

This marks a significant step forward on modernizing the corrections system in the Northwest Territories. The North Slave Adult Correctional Centre will replace the 38-year-old Yellowknife Correctional Centre. The new centre will increase the ability of offenders to access appropriate programming to assist in their healing. The new centre will provide a safe and secure custody environment that supports rehabilitation.

I would like to recognize the work...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to recognize nine outstanding individuals who will receive the Language Leader Awards. These awards are especially meaningful as each of the award winners are nominated and chosen by their peers from the communities and regions. We need to ensure the grassroots work being done by leaders such as the people we are recognizing today continues. These people don’t just talk about the importance of their languages; through their daily activities and lives, they demonstrate how important their language is.

I’m...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think Mr. Pokiak is talking about two different issues. One of the issues is whether or not children are all at the same grade level if they're in the same grade. It's not uncommon that you have differences. For instance, in a Grade 4 classroom you will have some children who are reading at a Grade 2 level and you may have some children who are reading at a Grade 6 level. The teachers can typically deal with the different groups they have. Some kids will need extra help and some kids will need extra challenge. So it isn't unusual to have in a classroom a...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Our government doesn't actually spend any money on delivering that kind of program. The programs are available through Aurora College, and the federal government contracts with Aurora College for the delivery of those programs. So the programs are available, but they're paid for by the federal government.

I'll keep that request in mind, Mr. Chairman.

Yes, please, Madam Chair.