Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The recommendations will be brought to my attention to factors in setting up a minimum wage for the NWT. As you know, we increased our minimum wage in April 2010, another one in April 2011 and we’re still working on 2012. So those are just some of the areas we’re currently exploring. The people that will be part of the standing committee, I don’t have the actual list in front of me, but I can provide that to the Member once they’re established. Mahsi.

This Assembly wanted us to set up a mechanism to reflect on the wage incremental on an annual basis, a wage increase. We’re trying to establish that through our networks, through our research, through various discussions with employers and employees, and also the representatives of the Northwest Territories. That’s what we’re embarking on, and we’re going to be establishing a committee to deal with that.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. With any planning process for infrastructure, we have to work with the college to identify the funds that may be available to them. Then we need to work out the logistics of it. I will get my director to elaborate on the process itself. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. This is an area that is one of the priorities within our department because we know we are losing the languages in the region. As you know, we’ve developed some apps pertaining to Aboriginal languages. We have developed five already and now we’re currently working on an additional two. It was part of my Minister’s statement today that I highlighted we are working on two more Aboriginal languages so that, at the end of the day, we will be up to seven. We’ll want to capture all nine in the long term.

There’s also a symposium coming up in March over the next couple of weeks...

Mr. Chair, I’m not sure we have that information here at this point, but we can certainly provide it. Actually, I do have some information that we will provide to the Members as well. Since 2007 it’s roughly 2,800 cases. In 2008 it increased a bit. In 2009 it increased. It has been gradually increasing over time. From 2007-2008 it was 2,800 roughly. In 2011-2012 it was just over 3,000. There has been some incremental increase. We will provide that to the Members.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The inclusive schooling is an area that is currently under review. Based on the information we’ve received from the general public, most specifically, of course, from the Northwest Territories, we need to provide or enhance our programming. Right now we spend well over $26 million in this area. In return I think we can do better. That’s the whole area where the reporting mechanism and the framework itself we are exploring through the education renewal process. Part of that includes the schooling review. There is a reporting mechanism in place for the school boards on an...

I believe this was brought to my attention. That’s part of the reason why we’re doing this education renewal. There are six pillars and part of the one pillar is to deal with the systems. I understand where the Member’s coming from. That’s an area that will be discussed through stakeholders and other educators, and providing that input, and if we need to make those changes then I have to work with my Premier and so forth, my colleagues, to make that a reality. That will be part of the discussion.

Mr. Chair, there are other, whether they be the ASETS through the federal government, going to Aboriginal communities or leadership. There is a Labour Market Agreement that we have that train in those areas. ALBE covers a lot of areas. It is very generic even at the mine site. They provide training.

I keep on referring to training, but it is ALBE upgrades. That’s what is happening at the mine site and various areas in the Northwest Territories that deliver that. Community learning centres, friendship centres and other agencies are involved. Yes, there are more than just our department or the...

Mr. Chair, I’m not sure how clear I can be. I’m the one who is responsible. I’m the one who is responsible to put initiatives into the capital planning process based on the advice I’m getting from whether it be the college or my staff and we move forward from there. The reporting mechanism from the board chair, the president on to my deputy, as you know, we have all of these different divisions, as well, within our shop. Mr. Devitt here is also responsible for a piece of that. Even though there are two or three lines from the president to my deputy, it connects through all the departmental...

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. We can definitely provide the breakdown, how much, whether it be the regions or the schools, comparable from small communities to larger centres and the remoteness and so forth.

As it stands currently with enrolment and the price index and so forth, as part of the education renewal we are going to be looking at that. The formula funding is a big topic every time we go to the communities. Small communities feel left out. It will capture that as part of the systems and, also, accountability. That is part of the discussion that we’re going to be having with the stakeholders.