Frederick Blake Jr.

That actually answered my second question here, but my third question is: What are we going to do in the meantime? You know, we have freeze-up underway here. We have about three to four inches of snow in Tsiigehtchic at the moment.

What is the detachment going to do during freeze-up? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last four years, I’ve brought up growing concerns of the services in Tsiigehtchic, whether it be nursing, or RCMP. At this time of year, the residents feel a little better because we have a nurse on hand in the community, and with the growing number of elders we have in the community and the needs, people feel much safer.

With the RCMP, we had the department committing to having an RCMP overnighting in the community of Tsiigehtchic this summer and in place by this fall. But yet today there is still no action on this.

With all the technology today, whether it be...

How does the department reach out to prospective students, especially in our small communities, Mr. Speaker?

The access programs are designed to help students transition into college programs, but these won’t work if students can’t access and use these programs.

What mechanisms are in place to help students transition into and through these access programs?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Education is so important. We need to encourage students to graduate and go on to college and university. That is the message we give our Grade 12 graduates when we speak at their high school ceremonies.

It’s a huge transition for our young adults to make the big decision to leave home to further their education and to step up in life. They are continuing to grow and shape their future. We give them advice, we wish them well and we encourage them to do their very best, and at the same time, they are afraid. They are scared and feel alone.

One of my constituents went to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the department should contact this student and apologize for the situation he’s been put through. We have to do a better job of encouraging our students to stay in school and we have to find ways to accommodate them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

What department programs currently exist to help students, especially in our small communities, to transition into post-secondary education and skills training?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement, I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. We must find out why this student had already moved to Inuvik before the college advised him he was not eligible for the Access Program of his choice. This is one of our future leaders.

Will the department work with the college to review its administration and advising procedures? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, October 8, 2015, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that pursuant to Section 15 of the Official Languages Act of the Northwest Territories, that Ms. Shannon Gullberg of Yellowknife be appointed as Languages Commissioner for a term of four years;

And further, that the appointment be effective immediately.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

m Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just in follow-up to my Member’s statement, I have some questions for the Premier. Will the Premier ensure the Department of Education, Culture and Employment meets with the Aklavik District Education Authority and Moose Kerr School to investigate this problem with parking and to find the funds needed?