Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a few people joining us in the gallery today on behalf of the Mine Training Society: Hilary Jones, the general manager, Rachelle Beaulieu, Marilyn Hardisty, Jessica Enzoe Riddle, and Kelly Arychuk, the chair.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Next on my list is Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Next on my list is Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Next on my list is Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod. Mr. Polakoff.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the Minister’s opening comments he talked about a lot of the good things that the Housing Corp were doing and clearly a lot of good work is being done there and a lot of progress in the last couple of years. The Regular Members had a lot of concerns from the beginning, but I think a lot of progress has been made. One of the areas that I’ve been asking about is flexibility in our programs, things like PATH and CARE and whatnot. In the Minister’s opening comments he did indicate that there is some flexibility and some alternate intake dates for some of these programs. I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to raise this motion strongly urging the Government of Canada to develop and announce a successful strategy for Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program, also known as ASEP. This will ensure that local partners like the Mine Training Society, Building Inuvialuit Potential Society and the Dehcho First Nations can continue to train Aboriginal Northerners for employment in the mine, transportation and construction and petroleum exploration sectors.

The federal government created ASEP in 2003 to meet a very real need specifically to increase...

It’s a great program and thanks for that information. The last question I have relates to some questions that were asked earlier this week and last week. A lot of this program depends on some promises that were made by a previous Premier, that all northern graduates in teaching, social work and nursing would be guaranteed an offer of employment. Is this government still committed to that promise and can the northern graduates in nursing, social work and teaching continue to expect that they’ll have some support to obtain employment in the Northwest Territories upon their graduation? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 133-16(5), Northwest Territories Main Estimates, 2011-2012, and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week and earlier this week there’s been a lot of talk in the House about northern students, particularly in the areas of nursing, teaching and social work, and the grad placement programs that are in place. I believe these programs are funded out of a fund called Maximizing Northern Employment which is part of Human Resources. I’m wondering if the Minister can confirm whether that funding is going to continue to exist in 2011-2012 and where that funding comes from. Is it federal or GNWT funding? Are there any plans to cancel the program in the future or is it...