Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As it stands, we recognize 11 official languages in the Northwest Territories. The federal government recognizes English and French, so we are very proud of our Northwest Territories jurisdiction language recognition.

I have heard on several occasions of a language that could be integrated or added to the existing 11 official languages. There are comprehensive steps that have to be undertaken, public consultation. Members would have to be involved in that. The Legislative Assembly would have to be involved in that. It would take some form of consultation with the communities...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories has a rich cultural history we need to continue to explore and celebrate. I’m pleased to share successful projects supported by the culture and heritage division at the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

These projects demonstrate our commitment to research, preserve and share information while highlighting our commitment to showcasing and promoting vibrant cultures of today.

This past summer the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre was a tourist destination for visitors and Northerners alike; over 12,000 visitors enjoyed the new...

Mr. Speaker, yes, this will be a topic of discussion, for sure. There is also, going to the Deh Cho region, Simpson, on December 7th and 8th, the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative. This is the topic of discussion we are having relating to schools, infrastructure and the programming. This is the discussion that we will continue to have this year.

Mr. Speaker, this particular school, we need to have more detailed analysis. A planning study needs to be in place. We need to identify what the needs of the school are in the community. That is definite. We need to work on that. Next year’s capital planning process we can discuss further as we move forward. This could be part of the capital planning process for the following year. Mr. Speaker, this is an area that I can work closely with the Member and also the PWS Minister. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, the museum invited the Member to attend or have a tour. I believe that occurred, or will occur. This is an area that interests us as well. If there is space availability, then, definitely, we should showcase our northern arts and arts and crafts and whatnot.

Mr. Speaker, definitely we need to discuss this further with the museum and my colleague as well. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, those are the types of discussions that we need to have between ITI and ECE along with the Members. We’ve had various activities and shows displayed at the museums in different communities, whether it be from Scotland where we have Tlicho artefacts there that were brought to the Northwest Territories and brought to the communities as a mobile trade show.

Mr. Speaker, this is an area that I need to talk with my colleague from ITI on how we can approach this, because we need to visit our communities, what kind of performers or the arts display that we need to highlight. Those are the...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. One of the key priorities of the 16th Legislative Assembly is a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices.

Labour force development, career counselling and employment supports are ways in which the Department of Education, Culture and Employment works toward achieving this priority. Today I wish to inform Members of some recent and new initiatives in this regard.

The department is working on an NWT Labour Force Development Framework that looks ahead to the next 10 years. This framework is for all labour market stakeholders in...

Mr. Speaker, that would be the discussion that we need to have with the various parties that we have mentioned earlier. Like I said, we are going to the community, meeting with the superintendent, the staff and the principal and the school itself. Definitely, those are the areas that are of great interest to us as well. Coming from a small community, we are not ignoring them. It is part of the capital planning process. We need to plan for next year in the planning process. Mr. Speaker, the planning study is an area that we need to discuss.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. At the current time we are working closely with PWS on the particular school in Trout Lake. There has been some work done on inspections. It took place over the summer of 2010 that identified a VFA inspection. Also, PWS will be visiting the school to review the program space and speak with the building users. That is the ongoing work that we are currently having.

I will be visiting the Member’s riding. I have been invited by the Member, so I am looking forward to looking at the school as well, to see what is out there and we can discuss further at that level. Mahsi, Mr...

Mr. Speaker, definitely we need to reach out to other jurisdictions as well, such as the Vancouver Olympics. It was a very true success. We showcased the Northwest Territories. Our own artists and performers there were very successful. We will continue to promote that.

The time frame, we can say maybe sometime after this session we can sit down and discuss with the Member on how to best approach this initiative. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.