Charles Dent

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...

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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled GNWT Public Service 2006 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have responded to a number of parents. I intend to respond to all parents who contact me. I call tell the Member that most of the parents with whom I have spoken one on one generally I have been able to answer their concerns and their questions. They have often come to a different point of view than when we started the conversation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no policy. We have never been in a situation before where we had so many vacancies as we do in this situation right now in Yellowknife. So we are responding to a unique circumstance. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, a lot of this is in the communities, but I’ll certainly make sure that Mr. McLeod and I are aware of the issues and look at them together.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is responsible for licensing all scientific research that takes place in the Northwest Territories. So through that licensing process, we would expect that we would gain an understanding of the scientific research that’s taking place. Part of the licensing process requires that the scientists who are applying for the licence commit to reporting back on what information they have found. We also expect, as part of the application process, that they will advise us of how they are going to involve the local communities and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this point, I have, by way of letter to YK 1, indicated what I think should happen in this circumstance. As discussed between Ms. Lee and myself yesterday, perhaps the next step, if we’re unable to reach resolution there, would be to ensure that there is a better understanding among the public of what the recommendations are and what they mean. So we may have to look at some mechanism for a public meeting to allow stakeholders in Yellowknife to get all of the information.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, it seems like the Member has adopted one point of view and that is the only way that things can move because that is the only proposal that I have heard. I still think that we have options that we can consider. I have suggested some in my letter. We have enough space in this community. I am prepared to, if necessary, make sure that we have a broader discussion among stakeholders. I hope that those stakeholders will then talk to the boards. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member may have noted my answers to Mr. Ramsay earlier today. This has not been going on for just a week, two weeks, a month, or even a year. It has been going on far longer than that. There have been a number of discussions with the goal of trying to resolve this with this situation. There has not been a collaborative solution yet, so I am trying to force some action with my recommendations with YK 1. Thank you.