Jackson Lafferty

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled GNWT Response to Committee Report 3-16(6), Report on the Review of 2009-2010 Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission.

Mr. Speaker, part of the research that we’ve done does reflect on that where a child learns at the early stages and does well and is successful as they grow into secondary and postsecondary studies. Those are areas that we’ve highlighted and captured into our ASAI, Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative, and also the framework that I’ve referred to. Those are the important pieces of work that have been discussed and have been captured within the agreement as well. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. With respect to preschool in the Northwest Territories, there has been some work in different areas such as the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative. We visit all forums and all regions in the Northwest Territories. We’ve heard from people the importance of having these early childhood development programs. Not only that but there’s also a framework that has been in the works since last year, the Early Childhood Development Framework for Action. The report is currently being drafted. With that in mind, there is all this different research that has been initiated and...

Mr. Chair, I’ll get Karan to elaborate more on this particular area, but I just want to stress that there is a national strategy that the parties are involved from provincial and territorial jurisdictions. Once we file, let’s say the bill comes into effect and we file a lawsuit, we’ll be part of that national strategy. So we can seek out the information and input and others on what they’ve been through, but if Karan wants to elaborate a bit more on Ms. Groenewegen’s question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is committed to enhancing accessibility to post-secondary education for all Northerners. Through a Student Financial Assistance review and the development of northern university options, we continue to strive for a strong, prosperous, educated society.

The primary objective of the Student Financial Assistance program independent review is to determine whether the program benefits adequately support students with rising living costs, how the program contributes to the government’s objective to develop a healthy educated...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. No, we don’t.

Mr. Speaker, those are the areas that have been assessed through the 13 jurisdictions that we have to deal with. We talked about the resources and the manpower that’s required when the legislation comes into force. At the same time, again, the federal government needs to recognize our uniqueness, the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut as well, that this particular program that we’re continuing to push with the federal government, it’s one of the priorities of the Northwest Territories Justice department to identify those key areas. We will continue to do...

We will definitely follow through with the Beaufort-Delta Education Council. It could be small, but at the same time we have to respect all the regions. It’s not just one region that is faced with a challenge. At the same time, we’ll definitely follow through. Mahsi.

...with the current government system. At the same time, again, this is an area that we need to seriously look at with the Beaufort-Delta Education Council. We provide funding to them so they can deliver those key deliverances into the communities and regions as well.

Yes, the Member has raised that issue in the House. At the same time, the Member should also be raising that issue with the Beaufort-Delta Education Council because we are working hand in hand with them. I need to work with them to strengthen those ties because, again, we provide funding through them to the region. Mahsi.