Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. One of the priorities for this Assembly is to strengthen awareness of our northern identify and uniqueness by promoting our culture. I am very pleased to advise this House that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment held a ceremony today to celebrate the tremendous cultural contributions made by people across this territory.

Some months ago the Minister’s Cultural Circle was launched. We requested nominations for those Northerners who contribute to the preservation and promotion of the Northwest Territories cultures and heritage. Nominations poured in, Mr...

Mr. Speaker, the tough on crime has been in the works, again, for some time now, and we are doing an overall assessment of the Northwest Territories, the corrections, the program delivery, and we can provide that information to the Members for their review as well.

This is an area of interest for us. Whatever happens at the federal/provincial/territorial jurisdictions, it does have implications in our jurisdiction, as well, when it comes to tough on crime and more program delivery for those inmates and the minimum jail time, whether they serve it in the Northwest Territories or outside the...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There was funding allocated for up to $925,000 for 2011-2012 under the Small Community Employment Support Program, which is specifically for small communities that can access this funding. It is out there for the communities to access. The program has been very successful in the past year. We’ve had in 2010, $350,000 which has been increased by the recommendations of the committee.

Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent program that community organizations can access as well.

The only assurance I can give is that’s our goal as a department, to complete the overall review by early next year; for next school year, if that’s possible. That is our goal. I cannot guarantee that it will be done before next school year, but our department will do what it can to reach out to the students, the parents, the public, to hear their perspective. In order to make those changes, we want to reflect on all the needs that will be addressed. Definitely that’s our goal.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We are aware of the situation and the only way we can review and make some possible changes is through the review of SFA that will currently be underway in September of this year, and completion we’re hoping for next year.

This individual is into her second year, and the following year will be third year. We’re aware of the situation and we want to do what we can to support all students in the Northwest Territories.

The cap is there -- $60,000 -- and the policy states that, and it’s fair to all the students across the board as well. We are aware, again, and SFA is currently...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 23, Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill pertains to an action of the Government of the Northwest Territories against the manufacturer of tobacco products for the recovery of the cost of health care benefits caused or contributed to by a tobacco related wrong. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Part of the recommendations brought to our attention was that matter from my departmental briefing. I will be going through the recommendations and possibly making those changes as we move forward. They are recommendations brought to our attention and we are currently reviewing it. This matter will be before the 17th Assembly as well as the new government, so we’ll do what we can as the department of the day.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 22 moved into Committee of the Whole. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the EPO, the process, and also the issues that we’ve been dealing with over the years, we have managed to do an overall review of the EPO process, the guidelines and so forth. At this point it is within my office to review. The recommendations are brought forward. I will be reviewing the recommendations brought forward.

Yes, the review has been done and the recommendations will be coming down to possibly make those changes that will reflect what’s been happening on the outset.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with the second reading of Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act.

---Consent granted