Jackson Lafferty

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

We take the same example as the fertilizer on the early seedling. We’ve heard in communities that even focussing on those babies that are not born yet, they talk about that and how the parents and the grandparents should be talking to their unborn child because that’s the most important step. I believe in that as well. We need to spread the news. We need to start initiating our discussion, talking to our children, even though they’re not born as of yet. At the same time even little ones.

Mr. Speaker, this particular Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative is a working document. Any document...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act, be read for the first time.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize Mr. Ted Blondin, who is the chairperson of the Tlicho Community Services Agency and who is here with us in the gallery. Welcome.