Frieda Martselos

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ernie Daniels, First Nation President for First Nation Finance Authority for Canada.

I think I would appreciate a commitment from the Minister of Education to visit the community of Fort Smith and Aurora College early in the new year to assure the residents of Fort Smith that proper consultation on the plan of transformation to the polytech university is discussed.

No question. I want to make sure that the business is [Microphone turned off] that there is…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, the planned transformation of the polytechnic university must be made public to the people of the NWT, especially to the residents of Fort Smith, where the headquarters is now situated. Morale and stability of jobs must be protected. My question to the Minister is: will your department be accountable and transparent and consult with the ongoing concerns of the community of Fort Smith?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the constituents of Fort Smith for electing me as their MLA. It is an honour to represent my amazing community in this government body, and I will do my best to advocate for the interests and constituents of Fort Smith. Now, without further ado, I am going to jump right into talking about the issues. My statement is directed to the Minister of Education.

Mr. Speaker, historically, Fort Smith has been known as the educational capital of the NWT. Aurora College in the NWT has flourished and grown from the humble beginnings in Fort Smith into now...

Okay. Sorry. Mr. Speaker, I want to ensure that the commitment to enrollment in all courses continues as usual. I want to make sure that Aurora College, at the Aurora College headquarters -- because some of the courses have not had any student intake, and, therefore, I want to ensure that the business continues as usual and the enrollment is not frozen in any way, shape, or form.

[Microphone turned off] ...assurance to commit enrollment in all of the courses is not frozen in any way or form, business continues as usual at Aurora College headquarters must be maintained.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Betty Villebrun, who is a member of the Fort Smith Metis Nation.