Charles Dent

Mr. Chairman, I’m not aware of any recent educational studies, but I know that a special committee of this Legislative Assembly spent a considerable amount of time travelling around the North talking to people about what was important to them. The inclusion of language and culture in the schools was considered important. We do try to reflect that as much as possible.

The Member for Sahtu has spoken often about how a person is stronger when they know their culture, their history and their language. I think there’s been a lot of research over the years that shows that’s true. You have to be...

Mr. Chairman, I haven’t set that up. I have been approached by three boards in Yellowknife who have an interest in a new school. We have quite a challenge ahead of us working with all of our partners here to determine how this money can be used to serve all of our needs.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As I said in my opening comments, the rates are adjusted every year. Subsequent to the Bureau of Statistics doing studies to find out what the rates should be adjusted to in each community, the rates were adjusted in November of last year. So we would be looking at doing it again as we get into winter this year.

Mr. Chairman, it hasn't been raised as an issue with us. We do talk to the federal government on a fairly regular basis. The college hasn't alerted us that there is a bigger demand than what can be satisfied through what's being delivered. So to the best of our knowledge right now, the demand must be being met.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a benefit that is negotiated through the collective agreement, so there was an increase from 2.25 percent to three percent of salaries.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 20th, will culminate a week of international celebration as Francophones and Francophiles throughout the Northwest Territories join with people in India, Senegal, and Egypt, among others, to honour their culture and heritage through Francophonie Day.

(Translation) This day was created in 1998 as a way for the ensemble of people who speak the French and Creole languages to celebrate their common bond. Honoured over five continents and uniting over 170 million speakers, French speakers join together with the United Nations to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In comparison to other jurisdictions, the amount of support that is provided to a parent who is staying home to look after children is very good in the Northwest Territories. The feeling is that the program, as it’s designed, in fact, does accommodate that desire. For instance, those jurisdictions like Newfoundland which have allowed the straight flow through, even though there is a high cost of living in many of the smaller communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, their level of support is nowhere near what we provide to individuals living in the Northwest Territories...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, on the first day of this session, Mr. Yakeleya rose to speak about celebrating Aboriginal Languages Month. He spoke with passion about his own language and culture and how important that has been shaping the person he is today.

I would also like to recognize the importance of Aboriginal Languages Month.

Mr. Speaker, this month we celebrate the important role language and culture play in the daily lives of many of our residents. Aboriginal languages provide a way for aboriginal people to maintain and express their culture, traditions and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t answer if it’s been on the same percentage that the NCBS has increased, but in fact the food rates have increased this winter to reflect increased costs. We do an annual survey now and adjust the food basket rates on a regular basis rather than waiting until we get way behind. I would be quite prepared to provide the Member with what the percentage increase might be in the program.

I can also say that I’ve had some discussion with the department, and the fact that the NCBS has increased is one of the aspects we’re considering and will be discussing as part of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the national child benefit supplement has three purposes to it, as posed by the federal government. One is to create attachment to the workforce, another is to reduce child poverty, and the third is to reduce overlap and duplication of programs and services. I can tell the Member that I was at the table when this was initially set up and that one of the biggest concerns from the federal representatives there was in fact making sure that the program was aimed at people who are working and to ensure that there was an attachment to the workforce. The way...