Jackson Lafferty

Through various stages we make changes; we improve our programming; we change policies. In Student Financial Assistance or some other income support program, there have been numerous changes as well. Even in 2007, even though I may not have been the Minister, still the department was making changes. Even when I depart there will be another Minister making changes. So all in all, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment provides funding to all these children, either in school, after school, through various venues whether it be agencies or NGOs that we work closely with.

Again, I think...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Clearly, we are not saying no. We are saying we are providing these opportunities for these children.

In the Northwest Territories Anti-Poverty Strategy, there will be a targeted action plan coming forward. This consists of all these departments sitting here. We are very serious, we want to make changes and it will reflect those changes as well. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we are doing something. I am answering his questions as well. Part of the curriculum that we deliver, K to 12 and beyond that, we provide a music program. We provide various other programs in the school as well. We will continue to enhance our programs. These are areas that we are very interested and also we are working closely with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs to deliver those programs, even after-school programs. We are involving the parents. We are trying to make a difference. We are making programs deliverable, even working closely with the college and...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the president of Aurora College, Ms. Jane Arychuk, who is on annual leave to spend time with her family that are coming from the South. I would like to recognize her sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Kim Clouter, who are visiting from Ontario. Welcome to the Assembly.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Education Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Education Act to:

establish a definition of bullying;

provide for the establishment, by regulation, of a Territorial School Code of Conduct;

require divisional education councils or district education authorities, as applicable, to ensure the development of safe schools plans.

Mr. Speaker, that is 2014-15 we have earmarked for the funding for a planning study. If there are any changes, we will definitely let the Member know in advance. Mahsi.

This particular school, Trout Lake, along with the Colville Lake school, has been brought to our attention on numerous occasions, even through a Rural and Remote Committee that I sit on, and also the Members. We are pushing that forward.

Part of the process of, again, education renewal will focus on the small community schools. We’re fully aware that some of the small, isolated communities are feeling left out when it comes to infrastructure. Those are some of the areas that we are currently discussing and engaging the community, the DECs, DEAs, and also meeting with Aboriginal leadership on...

As we indicated, there are various partners involved, the Housing Corporation, again, Human Resources, and our department, ECE, working hand in hand with the DEA and DECs. We need to get their feedback. That’s what we’re engaged on. Even through various venues such as educational renewal, ASA, we’ve heard over and over about the housing shortage, providing us with the solutions. This is an area that we want to deliver in house. Once it’s available, we’re going to deliver it to standing committee, potentially from the three or two of us as the Ministers responsible for those areas. When that...

There is a partnership approach and I’m working closely with the Housing Minister. They do have a strategy in place to deal with the shortage, whether it be housing for staff in the communities, especially the most isolated, non-market housing. They are in the process of developing multi-family rental properties in non-market housing in the communities, so focusing on where there’s a high demand. So there is already work in play. I’m really working closely with the Housing Corporation and also the Minister responsible for Human Resources because we need to capture all the proficiencies in the...

The uptake and successful completion of the Apprenticeship Program continues to increase every year, as highlighted earlier. The Labour Agreement is under review this year. That is a program that has been very successful. It is a federal legislative program and it’s coming to an end in 2014. We are focusing and monitoring that program and the overall review. Of course, the suggestions and ideas that are being generated in this House will be captured and will be considered as part of the review process. I will continue to work with the federal Minister responsible, Skills Development.

Also, I...