Monfwi

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

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...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

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...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

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...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

Mr. Speaker, part of the process is, of course, we have our ECE staff that deal with apprentices, and just to make them aware of their obligations within the program itself, being an apprentice. My staff is, of course, available any time if there is a challenge or a barrier in the way that the Member has alluded to earlier. Those are areas that my departmental staff are available to meet with certain individuals, especially those apprentices. We also have a regional representative, as well, that deals with the service centres in the regions. They are available to help and support these...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

Mr. Speaker, elders play a vital role in integrating languages and culture into school programming, and provide valuable skills and knowledge to our children and youth.

I am happy to announce that, beginning in the coming 2013-14 school year, we will be launching the NWT Elders in Schools pilot program to strengthen and increase elder involvement in our schools. While there are currently a significant number of elders already involved in many of our schools, this program seeks to enhance and formalize elder involvement within our school system. This pilot program will run in all schools across...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

Mr. Chair, regarding the student information system, there have been some changes to our current system. In order to be trained on a new educational system, we need to have that mechanism in place. We are tracking the students, as the Minister alluded to earlier, because everything is based on enrolment. We have to monitor the student progress, attendance and so forth. The conversion from one system to another does take time and that’s the reason why we had this training mechanism in place to convert to another system. That is what is before us today. It is continually improving that system...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Elders in Schools Handbook.” Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, we are engaged with the community and the DEAs. The planning study is proposed for 2014-15, so that is earmarked that we are proposing as a department and then moving forward towards the capital projects based on that. A decision will be made from there. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We’ve been closely monitoring Trout Lake, the population and the number of students in the school, as well, along with other schools that are in a similar calibre. Currently, we have approximately 19 students. That’s 58 percent being utilized in the school.

Those are just some of the numbers that we have in play. But we are in the process of visiting the community, and I want my staff to be in the community to look for themselves, because they are a part of the capital planning process, then I think that will make a difference. We are planning to visit the community within...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 29)

The Member already alluded to some areas where management of property arrangements have been made with DECs and DEAs, and either with the local bands, local development corporation, private companies or even the other unique partnerships. With this, there is also – I’ve just been informed by the Housing Minister – some home units in the communities, homeownership program, that could be potentially converted to be made available to these professions in the communities. Those are some of the key areas that we are currently discussing, and we want to make as many units available, especially in...