Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Chair, the Productive Choices, we obviously review it on an annual basis. We made a lot of changes in that area, adding to what kind of chores that those individuals should be doing, individual meaning without dependents, and with dependents and so forth. We will continue to make those changes. I am always on the look-out to regional representatives and also Aboriginal organizations and even from Members. What kind of improvements should we be making and in what areas? If there’s an area that the Member just referred to, resume writing or updating, definitely we’ll take those into...

The current formula funding is based on enrolment. That is the whole reason we are currently reviewing it. We want to make those changes because we have been told that it doesn’t reflect student needs or doesn’t do much in the area where we haven’t identified special needs. Based on the feedback that we’ve been receiving, and even through the early childhood development, the stakeholders, the three experts spoke to us, and in general and as well as in their research and studies and also the elders have told us that we need to re-emphasize and put that as a priority within our department and...

The $7.7 million that the Member is referring to, the breakdown, if I can have my director to give a detailed breakdown, if he has it before him. If not, we would have to provide that information. I don’t really see it in front of me, but we’re just going through, if you can give us a minute. Mr. Devitt has more detailed information as he just found the paper.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. When I talk about the recommendations, ALBE review recommendations, again, we have to work with our Aboriginal partners. Obviously, the college plays a big role as well. When we talk about community deliverance, we talk about the Literacy Council. They have been actively involved. We have seen great success in that area. Not only that, but there’s been five adult educators that have been added to Aurora College community learning centres, even through CanNor, so we are beginning to see results.

Again, accountability framework is part of the recommendations that will be...

Mr. Chair, this decision process falls under me through various venues from the board chair, the president, my deputy, associates, and those individuals are involved with the capital planning process. At the end of the day, it goes back to me as advice coming from all angles. The decision is made by me as Minister responsible for the college. The capital infrastructure, there is a process in play. That same process we follow on a constant basis every year. We do follow that and we’re talking about a 60, 80, 90 million dollar building and we have to think creatively how we can pursue that. As...

I was just asking my director, since he’s been 30-plus years. It is assessed on an annual basis but I don’t think there have been any major changes. That’s the whole reason why we’re doing the education renewal under my leadership, we want to see positive impacts in the communities based on their needs. Those are discussions we will be having over the year.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. The Productive Choices I believe has been in the running since just over 10 years. There have been some ups and downs with that, but it was built so that there can be positive choices in the communities working with the organizations so that individuals can be prepared to enter the workforce. Again, some experience, the life skills and employment experiences. In my view, it has been very successful. At the same time, we always look for improvements, enhancement to the programming. There are ways where individual Members have approached me to say why couldn’t we locate in...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Bob McLeod will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to speak at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference in Toronto and meetings with federal Ministers in Toronto and Ottawa. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. The early childhood development, as it states here, there are certain programs under that. But I will have to get my deputy to elaborate more because there is detailed information respecting whether it be the division and the budget cycle itself. I have to get my director to explain or elaborate a little bit more.

Mr. Chair, I completely forgot about that part. It’s federal funding. No, it’s not a matching funding with GNWT or the college. It’s just the funding that flows directly to the college to deliver or enhance the ALBE program that they currently have over a two-year period. Mahsi.