Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Chairman, this matter has been brought up by the Member earlier and we need to look at all aspects of how we recognize official language. We need to look at the linguistics of it. We need to look at the history of the language, where it came from and how many words are different from the Tlicho language.

Mr. Chairman, it can be complex, but this is a piece of work that is before us. I am working within my department with the language group. We need to gather more detailed information about the history and the linguistics of the language itself and the comparison with other closely related...

I don’t know how else I can answer that. As I stated, yes, we support our campuses in Yellowknife and we’ll continue to support that.

Mr. Chairman, the culture and heritage, there has been some increase, just over $300,000. First is forced growth. It is an information request, residential school claims and litigation. There is an incremental cost. There is also renewal of museum exhibits and collections and just to renew plans and collection renewal strategy to reshape the existing museum. There are some displays and exhibits that have been produced. The plan is to deliver those into the Northwest Territories and also on-line exhibits. Those are just some of the highlights of the expenditures. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I agree with the Member that we should look at this. There are a lot of products out there that we need to showcase and I believe even Industry, Tourism and Investment travels to different sites highlighting the North. So we can work with that, even as far as updating our websites with all the links. We have information on these individuals, because obviously they submitted an application. Some of these individuals here, they are continuous individuals that apply on an annual basis. So, Mr. Chair, we will certainly work with that. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, this is an area that we are currently exploring. It has been brought to our attention about the credentials that individuals bring to their positions and to recognize those credentials along with the funding sources and resources. It has been brought to our attention, so we are seriously looking at it and then if we can come up with some options in that respect. Mahsi.

Mr. Chairman, I agree that we need to work together on this as well. There is a community learning centre that is coming up in Tsiigehtchic, as the Member indicated. It is next to the school. There can be shared resources. This has been also brought up through the college venue. The president has indicated that they are willing to work with our department and also the communities that have community learning centres that we can share with high schools. It is in the works.

I totally agree with the Member on the courses on-line. We need to promote more of that. I do believe there is a press...

I fully support a campus in Yellowknife. We need to work with what exists in campuses that we have. We realize that the lease is running out, expiring. We need to work towards that -- that will be this fall -- to start planning for the next couple of years. Work closely with the college. Our Education department does realize that this is before us and we’ll do what we can as a department.

Mr. Chairman, that funding is based on enrolment, the funding that we provide to the schools. That is the increase. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. That is correct, what the Member is referring to.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the Member that we need to focus on early childhood. That’s when the students learn. We need to invest heavily in that area. We have been doing that and will continue to do that, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the Member that we need to focus on those early childhood students that are in our elementary schools or preschools and onwards. Mahsi.