Jackson Lafferty

Masi, Mr. Speaker. As you know, a lot of our community members, especially the elders and seniors, do not speak English, in my communities especially. Obviously, I would like to know if this Minister is committed to providing more of an enhanced educational awareness on programs that are available to our elders, to our seniors, in our language, whether it be broadcasted on CKLB or other programming, because a lot of elders don't know that these programs exist and, if we reach out to them, I think a lot of these issues can be prevented, Mr. Speaker. Masi.

Moving onto the question I have: we talk about integrated approach and interdepartmental collaboration, as well. I would assume that all are departments that work together, Justice, ECE, housing, and also, the Minister responsible for Seniors, pertaining to these issues that we are faced with. I would like to know, Mr. Speaker, are there inter-agencies in the communities that deal with these issues, such as senior abuse in the communities, and do all communities have these inter-agencies?

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Mr. Speaker, this month is Elders' Month, and we hold them in great respect. They lead us. They guide us into everything that we do. We also have respect for our elders. They give us guidance. As we stand here, we have elders in our community who guide us, so we need to have respect and take care of them. We also know the kind of life they led. They have a lot of traditional knowledge.

Mr. Speaker, not only that but in the Northwest Territories, we know that our elders go through some hardship. Sometimes they are harsh with their words to their families, their...

In the next few decades, it will be a 100-year-old school. This is not acceptable. The school is deteriorating. We may not see it on the surface, but it is. The maintenance crew obviously has been telling us, as well, but I'll move on to my next question because this is a question from my leadership and my community members of Behchoko. The education department has no problem promising to replace J.H. Sissons in Yellowknife with a brand new school. Why is Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, which is five years older, not receiving the same treatment or consideration?

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] As I spoke in my Member's statement earlier, when Chief Jully Bruneau asked for a school, that was about 50 years ago. Again, today, I ask about Education, Culture and Employment that is under education [End of translation] ...for a new school in our community of Behchoko. I would like to ask questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about his capital plans for a community school. The first question I have for the Minister is: what criteria does his department use for deciding whether to build a new school or simply rehabilitate an...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, my leadership has demanded a new school. I am glad that the Minister is following through with that. This is a very serious issue that is before us, a 50-plus-years-old school. It requires, obviously, demand from the school that they replace it with a new school. The next question I have to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, obviously, is a decision. Which of the two options, school replacement or renovation of the existing school, is the Minister leaning towards? This is a question from my leadership, Mr. Speaker. Masi.

Just moving on, my next questions is about feasibility. What has the Minister's done to determine the feasibility of replacing Chief Jimmy Bruneau School with a new modern school today?

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] In Edzo, the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, about 50 years ago, I was in the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School. It has been quite some time. Fifty years ago, I was at the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School. The last time they did renovations was 25 years ago. The people from the community of Behchoko want a new school to be built. Even the chiefs are asking for a new school to be built. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to talk about this. [Translation ends]

When the government honours a community by building a new school, the students also feel honoured. They have a greater interest in...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I rise to express my solemn gratitude and solemn gratitude for those Northerners who risked their health and well-being to save Northwest Territories against the ravages of COVID-19. First on everyone's mind are the front-line healthcare professions who stood guard, ever vigilant and caring. The NWT is blessed with the best, most dedicated doctors, nurses, healthcare professions, the technicians, and support staff in the world. Mr. Speaker, the gratitude doesn't stop there. We cannot forget the unsung heroes who maintain our critical northern chain of supplies from the truck...

That's great to hear. The workers have been asking me the last couple of weeks now, so I'm glad it's coming. The sooner, the better. Mr. Speaker, the third question I have is pertaining to the Edzo highway camp. How long has it been since the Edzo highway camp was provided with new equipment, such as loaders, packers, trailers, generators, sweepers, and distributor trucks? Mr. Speaker, they have been using old equipment all these years, so I have that question for the Minister today.