Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the point is clearly taken that those could be part of the priorities and planning. The document will be introduced by this Assembly and that could be a part of the ongoing discussions with the second priorities for the communities. I’m looking forward to that and working with the colleagues, as well. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the art portfolio is with Education, Culture and Employment. It is across the board in the Northwest Territories. NACC is one of the jurisdictions that we do sponsor. But there are reviews currently underway. That information will be available when it is completed. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, our department will be working with the regional staff to try and find a suitable space in the community. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this has been an ongoing discussion and negotiation with our counterparts, the federal government. We do have an agreement in place to share the cost, so we will continue to negotiate with the federal government. At the same time, we are hoping there will be some good news out of the federal government soon enough to deal with the community policing presence and also having more detachments in the communities that don’t have any right now. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think we have to be careful here how we approach things as a department, because it is not the responsibility of ECE to find alternative locations for these affected NGOs. At the same time, however, Mr. Speaker, the department has the interest in the community library, the Open Door Society that is looking for a suitable space. Then again, we are looking forward to working with the community on finding a suitable space in the community. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question on the police presence in Tsiigehtchic has an ongoing schedule planned for community visits. There are visits from the RCMP to communities. Like any other community, the communities that don’t have detachments, there are scheduled visits from our regional headquarters. So there are plans in place to continue that until such time as…The plan is to have a detachment in all communities. That’s one of the territorial goals of this territorial government and that’s a long-term plan as well. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Homelessness is a pressing and complex issue across the Northwest Territories. No one agency or government department can address the problem of homelessness. The Government of the Northwest Territories is working with non-government organizations and communities to alleviate homelessness.

The homelessness fund for small communities is the newest initiative. The program provides funding for application-based emergency shelter projects up to $40,000 and homelessness support projects up to $10,000 in communities outside of Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik. There...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, ECE is spearheading this with a childcare consultant that we have in place. They will be working with the parents and also the facility, and that information will be shared with our colleagues, Social Programs especially, because any changes that comes to this House, there’s always consultation that takes place with the Members, as well. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the childcare issue is very important for our department and also the Government of the Northwest Territories. We are recognizing that there is a need in the communities. There are plans in place. There is consultation that will be taking place with the day care facilities identifying concerns, issues and the gaps, and also what the main issues are with respect to what the Member is requesting. We have our childcare consultant in place who is dealing with the department and also the consultation process. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our department has been working with the federal counterparts on this particular issue with the Sachs community, and also with the other two proposals. Yes, they have committed; they have set timelines for the three communities. Mahsi.