Jackson Lafferty

I would be more than willing to do that, too, with the Members. Mahsi.

The information that we have is that through ASA, as well that we gave money to schools for attendance projects and absenteeism is definitely before us. But we did provide additional funding to deal with absenteeism. Again, it’s part of the ASA as we move forward. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, we do have three officers that are in training right now that have started the training at the depot. It is a Community Constable Program. Those are the areas that we explore with the RCMP ‘G’ Division and at the federal level. They finally listened. We are unique in the North so they gave us three positions. They will be graduating.

Mr. Speaker, this is an area of interest for us as well. We want to increase those numbers. We will do what we can, as the Department of Justice, to provide more information on this and possibly creating more similarities. The Member referred to the...

This is an area that we need to explore with the committee and the small and remote committee, a community committee. With the current funding that we have and also the review that’s being undertaken, phase I, phase II, that’s an opportunity for us to make some changes.

We clearly hear from Member Beaulieu that this is a concern for his constituents and others in the small communities. So, Mr. Chair, I’ll commit to looking at this with my department during the review process. Mahsi.

Yes, this would also cover that area as well.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. This specific funding increase is more specifically for the Northwest Territories, but we have discussed this already with the Member and we are open to the idea of having southern tours with our exhibits. I am working closely with the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, as well, to see if this could be an option or something that we can explore. This is a working document that we are currently exploring between the parties and we will keep Members posted on this matter. Mahsi.

Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would be pleased to share some information with the Members on the Member for Sahtu for bringing this motion forward on the high school staffing funding formula. Small high schools in the Northwest Territories, as you know, are funded through the school funding framework. We are talking about approximately eight communities. Once communities have reached 10 students or more, then there are options that have been referred to as grade extensions. That’s an option that we have been working with and has been very successful.

The Member also stated that 2.26 teaching positions...

I did make a commitment. It may be soft but, as I indicated, my department will work closely with the DEA. I understand there’s been some correspondence on the playground equipment, the cost of it. The Member has alluded to $60,000 for the playground. That’s the number that we need to work with. How much the fundraising initiative of the parents group will be initiating still remains to be seen, but as I made the commitment, let’s work with this and work with the community of Fort Simpson to see what will come out of it.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. First let me commend the parent group for their tireless efforts in fundraising. This will definitely go a long way. As I stated when I was visiting Fort Simpson, I’m willing to work with the parents and willing to work with the DEA. There has been some correspondence between MLA Menicoche, myself and the DEA that we need to collaborate together. Working with the parent group, I must say that they are kick-starting this fundraising initiative and I’m willing to work with that.