Charles Dent

That is not right. I have said in this House that I am satisfied that the programs can be delivered adequately in the Northwest Territories in communities other than Yellowknife. We are not the only community that has experts. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don’t know if it’s because we’re in a round building, but I haven’t felt cornered by the Member in her questions.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have tremendous confidence in the people who administer and deliver the education program in the Northwest Territories and I spoke about that earlier today in the successes that we’ve seen in education. We have a tremendous cadre of professional people who are well qualified to deliver the programs that are offered in education across the Territories.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The population in that facility today may be totally different in 18 months, so I can't speak for where the kids may be able to go in 18 months. I can tell you, as far as I know, Hay River has more than two schools.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It wasn't an issue that was brought to the Cabinet table by Education, Culture and Employment. It was a proposal by the Minister of Health and Social Services. However, I would say Education, Culture and Employment is prepared to ensure the children, no matter which community they are located in, receive the appropriate services. When I talked about the money, I was talking about making sure that we had the money to pay the salaries of the people that would be required to provide those services. That will follow the children.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. One of the visiting students has been hosted by the Bannon family in my constituency, and that is Etienne Miquel from France.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am confident that we can support the same sort of program that we support now through Education, Culture and Employment in any community. As I said, for the students at the centre right now, Education, Culture and Employment funds one teacher. As well, the children are encouraged to get back into the regular school system. So obviously as they work into the school system they are going to be working with the teachers in the community, and that’s going to happen no matter where the program is offered. So what the department will do is make sure that if the...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, if the program is moved to Hay River, which is at this point a proposal, it has to go through the business planning process. If the program is moved, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will work with the DEC and the DEA to make sure that the same level of support is provided by the department in whatever community the program moves to as is provided in Yellowknife. So we will make sure that the expert assistance that is required through the educational system is available wherever this program is offered. Thank you.

I was offended that the Member would make the statements she was making, categorizing some of the people in other communities as not being as capable.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There are people who have an interest in the education system who should consider, first of all, becoming teachers, taking the Teacher Education Program and getting a diploma and then moving on, hopefully, to take the Bachelor of Education Program. The college has put a lot of effort into making sure that people across the Territories can access that program.

As well, for those who are classroom assistants, it might be useful for them to consider taking the Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program. ALCIP is a program that is offered, when requested, by...