Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Speaker, most definitely those are discussions that we need to have with the Deline leadership, the DEAs and DECs as well. Just offering some of the initiatives that have been undertaken by Beaufort-Delta, as an example, e-learning is a prime example that we will continue to invest. There have been discussions on fibre optics. Those are just some of the discussions that we will continue to have. Education renewal is another one that they have been part of and will continue to push this forward. It is a big piece of work for the Northwest Territories and the Legislative Assembly. We want to...

Those are exactly the types of discussions we are currently having. We’ve heard from the Deline leadership, also the DEA, and also the DECs for their regional perspective on expediting certain capital infrastructure from the communities on to our capital plans. As part of the educational renewal process that’s before us, we’ve involved the community members, and we’ve listened to the small community capital initiatives. Those are in the forefront of our discussion as we move forward.

One of the pillars on the educational renewal is to focus on the small communities, whether it be the funding...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize our 2013 Educational Hall of Fame award recipients in a ceremony we held this morning. They are Beverly Masuzumi of Fort Good Hope, Bill Gilday of Yellowknife, Andy Norwegian of Fort Simpson, Jill Taylor from Hay River, Anne-Mieke Cameron from Yellowknife. We have a couple more, they’re not here, but they will be presented. I’d like to also recognize Dolphus Nitsiza, who is here from my constituency in Behchoko. I’d just like to say congratulations to all the Education Hall of Fame inductees and welcome to our Assembly. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

I would see this as an opportunity as opposed to a competition with the college. The college is on board and they want to do as much as they can, even beyond what they currently deliver at the college campuses, whether it be Inuvik, Yellowknife or Fort Smith and now the Sahtu region. At the same time, I would encourage the Member to voice, as well, with the industry.

We understand that there is upwards of $700 million going into the region and how industries can take part in that, whether it is the centre or training programming. It will be based on industry standards as well. They have done...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Sahtu region training centre has been a topic of discussion for a few meetings we have been to. We have regional training representatives, as well, to identify the training needs of the Sahtu region. We also have the college involved in the process of our discussion. Just recently I also delivered the interesting, high-profile Sahtu when it comes to training, how the college can get involved so it can be a training centre for the Sahtu region. Those are the discussions we are currently having, and I will inform the Member as we move forward on a progression plan. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, May 31, 2013, I will move that Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Education Act, be read for the first time.

Mahsi. That’s the very thing we’re doing right now with the committee representatives. I do believe there are industry representatives. I can double-check on that. Those are discussions we are currently having with the leadership in the Sahtu region. I’ll provide the Member with the latest update on our discussions and we’ll continue to drive that with industry because they need to be on board. The whole economic boom that is happening, they need to be part of that as we are. So we’ll continue to push that forward. Mahsi.

This is the very reason why we need to reach out to the community representatives, so they can provide us feedback on what is required at the regional level. Part of the discussion involved the local leadership as well. The chiefs made remarks on Trades on Wheels, mobile trades training similar to Beaufort-Delta. How can we integrate that into our discussion for the Sahtu region? So we are talking about partnerships. That’s what it comes down to.

There have been various partnerships driven by the community of Inuvik and also surrounding communities in the Beaufort-Delta. So we’re going to be...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Return to Written Question 21-17(4), I wish to table the following document, entitled “Re-profiled Funding Early Childhood Development Actual Expenditures 2012-2013.”

Further to my Return to Written Question 24-17(4), I wish to table the following two documents, entitled “Income Assistance Distinct Cases and Expenditures” and “Income Assistance Appeals.”

Lastly, further to my Return to Written Question 25-17(4), I wish to table the following document, entitled “Single Parent Families Receiving Income Assistance, 2012-2013.” Mahsi.

What we’re talking about here will be released next month. I don’t want to get into detail before it comes before standing committee. This is an area that we have addressed and it will be part of the action plan. We are taking it very seriously. We’ve heard there’s probably… I’m not sure the percentage of files that have been misplaced but, at the same time, there are other areas where we have made progress and improvement. We will continue to do that but this is an area that will be before us as part of the action plan.