Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 13)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 3, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, be read for the third time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 13)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to advise this House that a ceremony was held today to celebrate the tremendous contributions that people across this Territory have made to education.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched the Education Hall of Fame some months ago, requesting nominations be put forward for those Northerners who made lasting and selfless contributions to education. Nominations poured in, Mr. Speaker, and 15 people were chosen from across the Territory. The 2010 inductees embody the commitment, diligence, creativity and passion that we...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 12)

Throughout the consultation and also the Yellowknife educational facilities review, there has been undertaking of renovations. The renovations that have been highlighted has already been undertaken by our department and identified as a capital planning project on a long-term basis. Those facilities that need upgrade and major retrofit have been highlighted through our consultation with the school boards. Yes, the majority of the schools that require upgrade will definitely be part of the capital planning process.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 12)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The study has been completed. We are in consultation with the YK 1 school board and the college. We just need to consult with them on possibly proposed changes. We need to keep in mind that the college campus, the expiry date of 2012 at Northern United Place is a pressing issue that we need to deal with. Overall, the Yellowknife education facilities have been reviewed and there have been some proposed options that we have presented to the board and also to Yellowknife MLAs for their consideration. We’re still waiting for feedback by one of the school boards and then we can...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 12)

The minor renovations and major renovations that have been highlighted by our department on the capital planning process will continue as we move along. The Member is referring to certain facilities such as the Aurora College campus. The decision has to be made on options first, before we can proceed with the capital planning process. That is in the works and they are at the final stages.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 12)

That is one of the options that we are discussing with YK 1 as well. Alternatives on the options. The decision that needs to come down and the recommendation to me as well, then make a final decision before the capital planning process begins. That’s why we’ve initiated this consultation and we are now on the verge of a final decision by the board to give us a green light to say we’re fine with the option that they are favouring. We’re just waiting for that response from the board.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 12)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to inform the Members today of the work underway towards a new strategy for supporting the nine official aboriginal languages of the Northwest Territories.

In the late 1990s, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment consulted with communities about developing a long-term plan supporting our Territory’s traditional languages. The strategy, Revitalizing, Enhancing and Promoting Aboriginal Languages: Strategies for Supporting Aboriginal Languages, outlines what the government was doing in support of healthy aboriginal languages in our...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 11)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we talk about graduates, over the years there has been a substantial improvement in our graduates, whether it be aboriginal or non-aboriginal students, for the Northwest Territories. It’s been increasing every year. The Member is asking if those graduates are true graduates and the status of the diploma. These graduates do write the departmental exams through the Alberta education system. We use their curriculum as well. There are certain standards that have to be met, criteria that has to be met and based on that, if they pass the final examination, then...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 11)

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I have Mark Aiken to my left, director of legislation, and Bronwyn Watters, deputy minister of Justice. Mahsi.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 11)

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. The purpose of Bill 3, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, is to amend various statutes of the Northwest Territories for which minor changes are proposed or errors or inconsistencies have been identified.

Each amendment included in the bill had to meet the following criteria:

it must not be controversial;

it must not involve the spending of public funds;

it must not prejudicially affect rights;

it must not create a new offence or subject a new class of persons to an existing offence.

Departments responsible for the various statutes being amended have reviewed and...