Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Speaker, this funding through the committee that deals with the TLC, teaching and learning centres, we have come across some challenges when it comes to dealing with the funding with Detah and Ndilo. So we’ve looked as a department and how we can mitigate and resolve that issue. We did re-profile this particular funding for Detah and Ndilo as part of a proposal being submitted on an annual basis from Goyatiko to our department based on that dispersing of the funding. That is the establishment that should resolve that issue, because I understand Mary Rose Sundberg is the one coordinating...

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Mahsi. When I talked about re-examining our delivery program, that would definitely capture that. I need to work with the departmental perspective, as well, the respective Ministers, how we can best deliver those programs and courses and work closely with the college as well. Aurora College has been successful in the past and now we’re re-examining that area as well. So, yes, that would be part of the discussion as we move forward. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. The Yamozha Kue Society out of Hay River delivers pilot projects on five modules and it is a basic, entry-level language. So it does capture, to some degree, on some of the interpretation, whether it be in a hospital setting. It is a basic level, but we are, as I stated, re-examining that area where if we can provide more effective and efficient course delivery that would capture and identify the terminology that’s used in hospital and school settings and so forth. So, yes, to some degree it does capture that, but it’s just very basic language that they’re being taught as part of the...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Marie Wilson, commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I would just like to say thank you for doing such great work on behalf of all the survivors in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi and welcome. Also the team as well. I would also like to recognize Mr. Anthony Whitford, whose birthday is today. Welcome.

Mahsi, Madam Chair. We are fully aware of the Auditor General’s recommendations that were brought to our attention. We are fully implementing the recommendation with all the action plans that will be before us. We are serious about the inspections and we are doing what we can to follow through with each and every one of them. We were given some instruction on focusing more on early childhood development, so that’s what we’re doing with our internal resources. We will be focusing on that as one of our priorities.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is committed to improving educational outcomes for all students of the Northwest Territories. We have developed new curricula that will be introduced in the fall.

As part of our efforts to develop culturally appropriate and engaging learning opportunities for our students, Northern Studies 10 includes a new focus on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada. Optional implementation of the new course will begin with the 2012-13 school year and become mandatory in 2013-14.

Consultations are underway for the proposed...

Mr. Speaker, on May 13 to 16, 2012, 17 youth from the Northwest Territories participated in the national skills competition in Edmonton, Alberta. There were 500 competitors from across Canada at the competition, with a team from every province and territory.

There were about 40 contests at this event, and our team competed in Auto Service, Carpentry and Industrial Mechanics, Cooking, Plumbing, Electrical Wiring, Welding, TV and Video Production, and Graphic Design.

I am extremely proud to report that three of these competitors returned home with national medals in hand:

Antonio Lewis, gold in...

Madam Chair, notwithstanding Rule 6(1), I move that Committee of the Whole continues sitting beyond the hour of daily adjournment for the purpose of continuing and concluding consideration of Tabled Document 19-17(3), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2012-2013.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I feel that we definitely need to explore this area where demonstration of other skill sets, those talented individuals from the Northwest Territories can be exposed. The Member and I talked about this in length, about the possibility and where we can explore opportunities. I will definitely commit to the Member and this House that we will be further exploring this opportunity on the demonstration of other skill sets at the National Skillset Competition. So I’m committing to that.