Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. Like every year, we go through these assessments with any infrastructure that’s available that’s before us. That’s how we invest our funding, working closely with the college, or if it is the schools then we have to work closely with the schools. If we need to hire a consultant to do that, engaging community members, then we expand in those areas. We don’t have the actual numbers before us, but over the years assessment does cost money and that’s what we do on an annual basis when the opportunity for infrastructure is before us. So those are areas that we have worked closely with the...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Currently, there was a motion brought forward by yourself, the Members in this House to look into possibly anti-bullying legislation brought forward within an 18-month time frame. That is an area that we have been working at since the motion was introduced. We are hoping to introduce that this coming spring session. That’s the time frame that we have. It does cover a broad area of anti-bullying legislation.

When I talk about the safe schools and the comprehensive plan that we are working on, there is a plan that we are working on on anti-bullying, working closely with the...

I, like the Member, so direct. I knew that was coming. Currently, we are going through the ‘13-14 budget. As I stated, the options are coming. They should be on my way to my office soon enough. Unfortunately, one of our senior staff is on personal leave right now and I’ve instructed him to do a bit more in-depth work in this area.

Within a few weeks I’d like to see those options and I want to make those changes as part of the next business planning cycle. So because it’s not before me yet, I can’t really make a commitment within this budget, but I’d like to make those changes in the next few...

As you know, the overall review of education renewal is very complex and comprehensive. We want to reach out to every single individual out there that we possibly can in the Northwest Territories to hear them out. Our target date, of course, is late fall/early winter. That is the target date right now. We are working towards that and we want it completed by then.

The $250,000 would offset the cost of those qualified people within that establishment. That was part of the plan, so we are working closely with both communities, Tulita and Ndilo, that have been slated for the $250,000.

Mr. Chair, even though it’s not listed on here, we are contributing to both societies. Skills Canada, we contribute I believe $80,000 on an annual basis and we continue to do that. They have other sources of revenue, funding that is coming from other agencies, as well, or industries in partnership, so it goes beyond our $80,000. Even with Mine Training Society, I believe we contributed funds for them to continue while we work with the federal government to talk about the long-term strategy. We talk about pan-territorial approach as well. The Member is correct; it may not be highlighted...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I would have to get my director to elaborate. He’s been involved in the process since we’ve been discussing the college for several years now. So I’ll get Mr. Devitt to elaborate.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. This is an area that we have worked closely with the federal government. As you know, they provide funding on an annual basis to both the Aboriginal language and French language, as well, on an annual basis. We will continue to work with them.

As the Member alluded to, sometimes it’s very difficult to change the overall act if they provide funding and we still have to engage with them, but we can provide the latest update to see where we’re at. We’re hoping to introduce a bill for consideration during the life of the 17th Assembly, working closely with the federal government...

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...

Mr. Chair, I guess part of the reason will be we’ve been working closely with them. We feel that we are in partnership with them, working closely together with them, the Government of Nunavut. At the same time, to have artifacts stored in Nunavut in a facility, as you know, it’s a high cost over there. But they’re realizing that they need their own facility, so they are working towards that and are in the planning stages. They are working closely with our department, as well, as they move forward as part of their capital planning process. Mahsi.