Jackson Lafferty

I need to find out from my department exactly where the status is on those two particular schools that the Member is referring to, particularly on the planning studies, if they’ve done one already; if not, then when is that going to be happening. So I can get back to the Member on those two schools that he’s referring to. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I realize there is a difference between policy and legislation. We currently don’t have legislation on bullying. That is part of the reason why I am saying that there are policies in place that deal with the school boards. At the same time, we are exploring those areas. In order to bring legislation into effect, I need to deal with the standing committee. If there are going to be changes to policy and legislation, then we need to deal with the committee as we move forward. Those are options that we are currently exploring. I am hoping to bring that forward within due time. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Those are the areas that we are exploring with other provincial jurisdictions. We knew that it is a controversial issue. There have been some incidents in the past in other provinces, provincial jurisdictions. We want to explore further and do our research. Some legislation is working and some isn’t. We need to find out the pros and cons of why it is not working. Not only that, but I would like to work with Municipal and Community Affairs, especially with the Proud2bNWT.ca focusing on the youth and also the Department of Justice Not Us! campaign focusing on the youth and...

We’ve had consultants work on various school projects, whether it be evaluation, the status of each school, and there’s been a highlight of minor or major repairs that need to be initiated. There’s been some minor capital infrastructure that has been identified for these two schools. So it is currently in the works, and in moving forward, if there are other issues that we need to discuss, then the capital plan process will be the opportune time. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. With all of the capital infrastructure, the process of going through the budget planning process to deal with capital, and we do have an area of technical or evaluation of the schools. So we do, upon requests, evaluation of the schools. For particular schools, whether it be Trout Lake or Liard and other areas of infrastructure that’s badly needed in the community or in need of repair, then we do an analysis in those areas and we’ve done those in the Member’s riding as well. So when it comes to the capital planning process, these items will be discussed for sure. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, there are certain processes in place with various school boards to have their own policies. Each of the school boards have different policies in place to deal with bullying in the schools. When there is an issue they deal with the school boards and the superintendents and also they deal with my department because I need to work closely with the board of education across the Northwest Territories to deal with 49 schools. Those are some of the processes that I outlined. Mahsi.

When we first did a consultation and had a forum on the Aboriginal Languages Strategy, this is short term, and also we need to think long term how it’s going to have a potential positive impact into the regions, into the communities, into the whole Northwest Territories. In 2012-2013 it is a step forward for us and through the business planning process we need to identify funds to carry forward the wish of the people. We will continue the process. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Since we delivered that report in October 2010 on the NWT Aboriginal Languages Strategy, that is part of the plan. A recommendation came out of that document, enhancing even further, identifying an action on the establishment of a secretariat with the responsibility of oversight of the GNWT Aboriginal languages services. That is part of the recommendation that came into effect within the report. We are working towards those options that we are going to be discussing. We are discussing that at the current stage with our department and during the 2012-2013 business planning...

I’d like to thank the Member for asking that particular question because it is an important question. Since we’ve tabled the document in the House in 2010, I’ve had two or three different visits and meetings with the Minister responsible and also correspondence, and he is fully aware of our Languages Strategy. I’ve also met with the national grand chief, Mr. Atleo, and delivered the same messaging. It’s a shared responsibility. The Northwest Territories, federal, the communities, we need to all work together. This is a big document that will see some positive impacts into the Northwest...

I think that’s the very reason why we gathered over 200-plus Aboriginal language experts in 2010, in March and April. Based on what we’ve heard from them, the report came as a package and it does highlight the importance of revitalizing and preserving our language. We are going to be reaching out to the regions. We need to hear their input into the project that we’re going to be working on. Definitely, by all means, we’re going to be reaching out to the MLAs and also to the regions as well. Mahsi.