Charles Dent

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The response to the report, which we just released last week, was largely done within government. It was done with representatives from Justice, Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services with the special advisors to the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. Outside agencies were brought in. For instance, the executive director of the NWT Status of Women was offered on many occasions an opportunity to be briefed and comment on the public education plan, but, unfortunately, that did not get responded to, so that briefing never took place...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the report is being done by corporate human resources and I believe that the Minister responsible, Mr. Floyd Roland, has briefed committee and did tell them that they would receive a copy of the information the Member just requested. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am aware of that fact. I know some teachers who have not been able to find employment. The Premier’s guarantee and the one that this government is standing by is one that a position will be offered; not necessarily in the community to which the person is interested in applying though. So we are convinced that the positions are available across the Northwest Territories, but not every graduate is prepared to go to every community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t say the exact number of teacher graduates since 2001 off the top of my head, I’m afraid, but I do believe we’ve had a very good success rate of finding positions for people who are interested in teaching the Northwest Territories once they’ve graduated from the program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take a look at that report and see whether or not it is possible to do that by way of a letter to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That must have been done before my time as Minister. I have no knowledge of that report; I’m sorry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was a government response to the coalition’s recommendations, so outside agencies weren’t necessarily invited to be full partners. However, an invitation was extended on numerous occasions to the executive director of the NWT Status of Women to attend and be briefed on the status of the development of the response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I apologize; I don’t have a copy of the report in front of me and I can’t name off the outside organizations that were invited. So I don’t have that information in front of me right now. Sorry, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I just previously said, that commitment was made by Mr. Roland, but I will make it again. Yes, that information will be shared with Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that we have a competitive compensation program for our employees in the Northwest Territories and I think that part of the problem is that perhaps people have been coming here without an understanding of what the costs are to live in some of our communities. I believe the salary compensates people fairly for the cost of living, as does our northern living allowance. The programs such as the one offered by the Housing Corporation for market rental housing is certainly making sure that housing is available at a reasonable rent in communities. I’m...