Charles Dent

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There are a number of initiatives that the department undertakes to encourage the retention of teachers. One of the first and the most important is the mentorship program that is supported by the department. This is to help new teachers gain experience in the system with an experienced teacher and to call on when they need advice or mentoring.

The Member specifically asked about housing, as well. Last year the Housing Corporation installed market houses in a number of communities in the Sahtu. I met with the board chairs of all regions, including the Sahtu, and...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am actually meeting with the department tomorrow to update the process and the timelines, but I would expect that we would be ready for the public part of the redesign process no later than the end of June or early July. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The program right now already provides increased assistance for people who are on disability. There is an extra $300 a month for people who are considered disabled. So right now, there is an increased allowance.

Having said that, the Member has made a point that I am quite prepared to agree to and that is the purpose of supporting people through the Income Support Program who are disabled is one of providing an opportunity for citizenship. So as we redesign the program, I will be working with my colleagues to try to determine what is an appropriate level of support...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think that’s a great idea. We should find ways for schools to take advantage of other facilities that might be in communities. It’s certainly something that we welcome. So it’s already a possibility. We also encourage young people in school to get involved in apprenticeships and through the Schools North Apprenticeship Program, young people can gain hands-on experience and get credits towards their CTS courses, as well as time put in towards an apprenticeship. So we do have a number of different opportunities. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Education Act, be read for the second time.

Madam Speaker, this bill amends the Education Act to provide that the Minister shall prescribe the hours of instruction for the academic year for kindergarten, subject to a minimum threshold of 485 hours. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Absolutely, we will have that kind of assessment information done as we work through the redesign process, largely because I am going to have to come back to this Assembly for money to pay for whatever program we design. So all of those numbers will be available, yes.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I agree with the Member’s assertions to how the program should cater to those who have disabilities or, for that matter, people who are seniors. There are different reasons for people participating in the program and the program needs to accommodate those differences.

We are in the process of working through the redesign of the Income Support Program. We are at the point where we are going to be going back to committee very shortly with some suggestions for how our policies could be accommodated to deal with the different people in the different categories. We have...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I’m disturbed to hear that that wasn’t looked after in the office and that there wasn’t a waiting list kept. I will follow up on that issue. I know that over this past winter we added a second officer to the staff at the North Slave office. I’m hoping that this incident occurred before that person was added, and that we have dealt with issues like that now. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

One of the central goals of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is the development of a skilled northern workforce. Today I would like to provide you with a picture of the work currently underway to build the NWT labour force.

Career planning begins at the elementary level in our schools. Throughout their elementary and secondary schooling, students learn about different careers. In high school, students are required to take career and technology studies courses that teach them about specific careers. As well, students must complete a career program plan. During recent...