Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to share the reality of the Grade 1 and 2 class in Moose Kerr School in Aklavik. It is a combined class of 18 students. It has a teacher and one assistant. That is based on the funding formula that the Department of Education uses with their regional authorities. The funding is not based on what the school and its students actually need.

The Grade 1 and 2 class have students who are struggling to master kindergarten expectations along with those who are almost at Grade 2 level. Some have severe special needs. One student is a runner, who will not participate...

Will the Minister go to Aklavik and see the situation at Moose Kerr School for himself?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a follow-up to my Member’s statement. I have questions for the Minister of Education. How does the number of students with special needs figure into the way the department funds teaching positions in their schools? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Will the Minister have emergency funding set aside for the community of Aklavik in case the community faces a flood this year?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon I want to talk about spring, which I know is in all of our minds. This simple word has many meanings, but to most of us it is a celebration. We once celebrated surviving the long, cold winter and also a successful trapping season. We celebrated by travelling to the nearest outpost or settlement and by feasting and dancing with our families, neighbours and community. Today we celebrate with jamborees, and of course we still feast and dance and celebrate our friendships. For the fortunate people who live on the banks of our rivers, we depend on spring to...

At this time I have no further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you may all know, Aklavik is an isolated community. Last year the only road to safety up to the foothills was washed out and the community was left to use their capital funding to pay for those costs. My question to the Minister of MACA is: What emergency assistance does MACA have available for communities that face flooding, such as Aklavik? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge the 2012 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon, and congratulate the athletes that have been training to win their spot on Team NWT to represent the Northwest Territories.

We have such programs in place to help our athletes compete at national levels. We offer financial contributions for athletes who need the extra training and we have endless amounts of resource material to assist our athletes in becoming the best they can be.

I have so much pride in acknowledging athletes that are coming out of the Mackenzie Delta riding. Please let me...

What is the minimum amount of funds that is needed for the payment plan?