David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’m going to speak about an issue that I’ve brought up before in this House, and that is of the many youth who find themselves getting into serious trouble with drugs, alcohol, and crime, often resulting in addictions and an interaction with our justice system, which results in untold heartbreak for their parents, grandparents, and the family members who love them.

In the May session I talked about how a blind eye is turned to illegal behaviour of youth. The example I used was of two 15-year-old girls who were caught drinking in downtown Yellowknife. The RCMP...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 8, oral questions.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October 3rd residents of the Northwest Territories will be going back to the polls to elect the 17th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. As an Assembly we only have seven sitting days remaining for us, which will come in mid-August just prior to dissolution of the 16th Legislative Assembly, scheduled for September 5th. I’d like to formally announce today my intention to seek re-election in the riding of Kam Lake, of which I’ve had the opportunity, honour and privilege to represent since 2003 when I was first elected MLA for Kam Lake.

I enjoy working for...

I’d like to ask the Minister if Aurora College does any research into potential students for programs like the LPN Program and, if so, have they done any of that market research in Inuvik and Yellowknife, or Fort Smith for that matter, to gauge the interest of having that program run in those communities.

I thank Members for allowing me to return to item 8. Just a few questions I have regarding the Licenced Practical Nursing Program. It’s currently scheduled to be offered in Inuvik this fall. I’d like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment when the last time the Licenced Practical Nurse Program, the LPN course, was held anywhere in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleague from Great Slave, I’d like to recognize the work of all of the Pages that served the House during this sitting. Specifically, I’ve got a constituent, Miss Caleigh Matheson, who I would like to point out the work that Caleigh’s done. Appreciate that.

I’d also like to recognize the members of the Jacobson family who are in the gallery and my favourite little girl from Tuktoyaktuk, Mikayla Jacobson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to just end by asking the Minister, again, I think we’re trying to get as many northern people involved in the health care field here in the Northwest Territories and opportunities to advance themselves through training. The LPN Program is one of these areas I think we could expand upon. I’d like to ask the Minister if he would commit to getting back to me on whether or not Aurora College will offer the LPN Program in Yellowknife for residents here in Yellowknife who want to take that course.

I think it’s great news that the LPN Program is going to be offered in Inuvik. I congratulate the department and Aurora College on doing that. I’d like to ask the Minister if there’s any thought that sometime down the road this course could be offered at Aurora College here in Yellowknife, given the success of the Northern Nursing Program here in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and again I thank the Minister for that. I’d like to ask the Minister when the Department of Health and Social Services began planning for the requirement for summer students where they fit inside the department, when did that planning start?

Thank you. I’d like to ask the Minister, the Department of Health and Social Services hired 10 summer students last summer. I’d like to ask the Minister, is the department committed to again hiring 10 summer students this summer. Thank you.