Frame Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The medical prognosis isn’t required with all employees, but it can be requested of any employee. It’s something that each manager is left to determine whether or not it’s something they should ask an employee to provide. Thank you.

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course we can consider work plans that are brought forward by people who are specialists in that area from the region. It’s important to remember, though, like the development of the Dene Kede which took many years to develop in each of the regions so that it actually works for all of the different cultures in the Northwest Territories, it’s going to take a number of years for us to develop all of the curricula for languages in the North. But we are committed to doing that work and working with people who are experts in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to develop the curriculum for the different language groups we have in the Northwest Territories, it may take more in some areas; it may take less in others. We are prepared, over the next few years, to spend what it takes to develop appropriate curriculum in each region. We have to work within existing budgets, so it may take longer to do in some areas or it may take less time depending on how quickly the work can get done.

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re joined in the gallery today by a number of people who are with the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories who were here at noon for the press conference announcing the northern women in mining, oil and gas project. Sharon Thomas is the executive director of the council; Theresa Handley is the office manager. On this side of the House she’s also known as the boss's wife.

---Laughter

We are also joined by Leila Besarra who is the community development worker; Lorraine Phaneuf who is programs and research manager; Renea Agrey who will be running the...

Debates of , (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, we’re still in the process of examining whether or not the scope of the project will need to change. We haven’t decided whether or not we’re in a position to just agree to pay the price and go forward with the project. If all of our school projects keep coming in at more than twice what the budget is, Mr. Speaker, we’re not going to be able to proceed with all of the projects. We agree with the Member that the school expansion in Gameti is a priority and we’re going to work with Public Works and MACA to do our best to bring the project forward next winter...

Debates of , (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that Public Works attempted to discuss the issue of the cost with the contractor in the community; they were not able to come to any resolution. So Public Works has come back to MACA and ECE and given us a number of options that we can consider. We are working together with the other two departments to develop a strategy so that we can move the project forward, hopefully, within the next year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it’s important to understand that we’re not talking about an issue that is only of concern in smaller communities; it’s an issue that is happening all across Canada. Even in Alberta, a large number of students have to go back after they’ve reached the qualifications to reach a graduation certificate, a lot of students have to go back and take upgrading in order to get into the course they want to pursue in college or university. So it’s not something we only see in the Northwest Territories. It happens all across Canada. It’s largely because students aren’t...

Debates of , (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think one of the best measures of success of our students coming out the secondary system is how many of them can move successfully into the post-secondary system; how many can go on to college or to studies after high school. We can assess that by looking at the student financial assistance record. We know that before we got into grade extensions, we were seeing in their best years about 34 percent of students who were going to post-secondary studies who were aboriginal. There were only about 842 students a year accessing student financial assistance at that time...

Debates of , (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. By the time the tenders came in, were evaluated, by the time Public Works embarked on the process of negotiation -- they thought there might be some room for movement there -- we had lost the opportunity to make the award of a contract then to meet this year’s shipping. So we will work to ensure that we can make the decision on the project soon enough this year that we’ll be able to make the winter road this winter.

Debates of , (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The project went out to tender, and it wasn’t just to put in a gym, it was to provide a bit of an expansion to the school to allow for the community to have high school courses offered in the community. When the bids came in, they were so much over budget that we couldn’t proceed. There were some attempts to find ways to reduce the cost of the budget and they weren’t successful. So at this point, MACA, ECE and the Department of Public Works are examining what the options might be. We remain committed to the project and we’re looking for what we can do to ensure...