Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I did already commit to meeting with the committee and we can meet whenever the committee is available to discuss the ASA, and also the Early Childhood Development Framework integration, and the dates and so forth. I’ve committed to meeting with the committee. Mahsi.

Those parties that the Member highlighted will definitely be involved with the Early Childhood Development Framework. Their input will be valuable. The Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative does highlight the early childhood and also child care area that consists in the schools and also at home, too, where parents, again, grandparents, they were the ones who forced that upon us to say we need to focus on those individuals that are not born yet, that are in the womb, and talk to the child. That is advice that we are receiving from the communities, from the regions. We’ll continue to push...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Clearly, one of the four key initiatives that we’ve been delivering through the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative is early childhood and child care. So those are the areas that we’ve been tackling at the community level. It does consist of a variety of parties, such as the IRC, Dene Nation, the NWT Metis Nation, Native Women’s Association, NWTTA, Literacy Council, Aurora College, superintendents, DEC, DEAs, our department, early childhood and school services, and the Early Childhood Development Framework is coming, but the ASA, the Aboriginal Student Achievement...

In Lutselk’e we have a dedicated half-time position client services officer. This particular position deals with various cases on the client files. Adding more duty to that individual’s duties may be a challenge to some degree. Another area we can look at is the regional staff being visible in the community as much as possible. They are responsible for Lutselk’e and Fort Res. I can look at that angle, how we can deliver with the resources we have from the regional perspective into the community. I, again, will work closely with the Member on this.

Mahsi. First of all, I’d just like to commend the DEA and DECs, and also the Members, for voicing their concerns about this particular programming. Yes, the program changes, there will be an increase in funding that’s satisfactory to DEAs, DECs and our department. So that is in the works and it will be announced and the funding will be flowed through as of July 1st on the school year. So it’s good news for the communities that we represent on the alternative school programming. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Improving skills for living and working is one of the ways the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to maximize opportunities for our residents and pursue the Legislative Assembly’s goal of a diversified economy. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment makes significant investments in skills training and employment development to ensure that northern residents can meet the demand of northern employers.

The Northwest Territories Labour Force Development Framework -- People, Partnerships, Possibilities -- is the result of northern partners coming...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Member for asking that question, because this has been in the works for some time now.

The alternative school programming consists of Hay River, as well, and there have been several meetings between the school boards and my department. I did make a commitment to visit the schools as well, which I did when I was in Hay River for the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative. I went to see the students there. But what it came down to is as of March we decided to look at the tentative school programming and let’s hire a consultant to have a thorough...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Return to Written Question 1-16(6), I wish to table the following three documents entitled: Listing of Nutrition, Healthy Eating and Healthy Foods Program; Listing of NWT Community Wellness Programs; and Eligibility for GNWT School-Based Nutrition, Healthy Eating and Healthy Foods Programs. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to update the House on the Department of Justice’s work to improve policing services across the territory.

As we all know, encouraging, nurturing and building partnerships is the foundation on which the Northwest Territories was built. Throughout the life of the 16th Legislative Assembly, the Department of Justice has been working on a new model for policing in the North. This model, the Partnership Approach, acknowledges our uniqueness, builds on our strengths, and fosters stronger relationships with our communities. Effective planning for police services must...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Ms. Jillian Huber who is a University of Regina social work practicum student who is doing her spring/summer project in the community justice division of the Department of Justice. I’d like to welcome her. Mahsi.