Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Can the Minister explain how the department determines the level of funding of the education councils? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to wish everyone in the Mackenzie Delta a happy Valentine’s Day, and also to all my colleagues here, everybody who’s gathered.

The 2013-14 budget anticipates reduced staff in the Beaufort-Delta Education Council. Right now funding to our education council is based on the number of students expected to enroll in school, not on the needs of children or the hardworking teachers and administrators.

My constituents in Aklavik and Fort McPherson tell me that they need more teachers. In Tsiigehtchic there is only one teacher for up to three grades.

There are...

The last question I was going to ask is what was the timeline in which you expect this report to be done. Can we expect these changes for the loss of those positions? Can we assure those teachers who have moved to the Northwest Territories that their positions won’t be lost in the fall? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Minister explain where we are going to be losing the seven positions in the Beaufort-Delta Education Council?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the two Pages from Fort McPherson, Lloyd Prodromidis and Trent Villebrun, and also their chaperone, Ms. Andrea Tetlichi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank Mr. Bromley and Mr. Yakeleya for bringing this motion forward. I do strongly believe in protecting our environment but, as Mr. Hawkins has stated, I believe that this motion has come forward a little too late. Also, I do not support this motion because I feel that this will jeopardize the priorities that this government has set on building a partnership with the federal government. I strongly believe that this territory needs to adapt to those changes. One way we could do that is to get our Devolution Agreement in place. I believe that is where we can...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be voting in favour of this. Even though there are a small number of residents in the Mackenzie Delta who actually have electric hot water tanks, the majority of residents in my riding are already on oil-fired hot water tanks.

If this motion does go forward, I’d like the department to actually work with the communities, because each community I represent has an oil burner mechanic, and I’d recommend that you work with the communities to have them installed. I’d also like to see a breakdown of each region with the highest cost when it’s done. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have a few brief comments to make. First I will start with biomass. I would like to thank the department, on behalf of Fort McPherson, for working with the community for the last year to start a new initiative in the community.

Also, hopefully we can build on that partnership over the next few years. As you know, the Gwich’in Settlement Area is the only area in the Northwest Territories that actually has a forest management plan. I’m really looking forward over the next few years to create that partnership and move forward.

The Arctic Energy Alliance, a lot of...

Mr. Speaker, in order for us to be prepared, will the Minister ensure that Class 1 driving courses be delivered regularly in every Beaufort-Delta community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Construction of the road between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk is an important first step in completing the Mackenzie Valley Highway. If we do it right, this project will provide many jobs and business opportunities.

Living in the Delta, I see all kinds of business going to the Yukon because the Dempster Highway is our supplier. I see millions of dollars going down the road every year, Mr. Speaker. We need that business and economic opportunity in our territory. The Beaufort-Delta region badly needs a boost to its economy and people need jobs so they can support their families...