Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to remind the Minister in regards to our constituency tour we had together and how important it is for this position to get filled in all the communities. No more lip service. Let’s get it done. Thank you.

Just off my Member’s statement for Sachs, Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok in my riding, Mr. Speaker, given the many communities that share social workers or counsellors within our small communities or regional centre, will the government re-evaluate their staff, their role in the delivery of the structure in the regional centres so they have more time and resources to assist small and remote communities as intended? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is about the social workers and counsellors in Nunakput. Social workers and counsellors provide services to the community that are immeasurable and invaluable, devoting their careers to helping people through difficult times, living healthier, coping with addictions and the healing process. Unfortunately, most communities in Nunakput do not have either. Shame on this government.

I ask this government why, after so much commitment from the federal government, the territorial government and organizations such as The Healing Foundation, do the...

Thank you, Ms. Minister. Mr. Speaker, will the government consider increasing the resources for social workers, counsellors in small remote communities in the next round of budget discussions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to direct my Member’s statement to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I’d like to know how much of the flow-through money that is specifically earmarked for social workers and counsellors for the smaller remote communities stops in the regional centres, especially here in Yellowknife. I’m asking if the Minister would be able to provide our riding with such information.

That ain’t happening. Will this government allocate the appropriate resources for these accommodation problems to be adequately resolved to ensure the quarterly reviews and benchmarks are carefully monitored in the future?

Mr. Speaker, today I am speaking on the lack of high school student accommodations. I remember my first days in secondary school a long time ago. It was very scary, new friends, new pressures, and new environment. For most students from small isolated communities, it is a new place to live, due to the fact that most small communities do not have a high school. Many students leave their strong family support network and go to a larger community such as Inuvik. Unfortunately, what seems to be a growing trend in many regional centres is students are finding it harder and harder to find suitable...

My problem is I have five students from a small community that I represent where two of them have dropped out due to lack of housing. That’s my problem. I look forward to seeing that information that you are going to get me. I’ll bring it back to my constituents of the community.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to let you know, I’m here for you.

Today my questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Will the government conduct a thorough review of limited availability and suitable high school student accommodations for students coming from small communities specifically in the Beaufort-Delta?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Minister, Mr. Polakoff and Mr. Lau-a.