Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has always been a government’s vision for the NWT highway that includes an operating highway system that provides for improved safety, reliability for people and resource development. Now we are in the process of resource development and new upgraded community access roads, paving the road and whatnot. At the same time, I just have one final question to the Minister. When will he commit to meeting with the Tlicho leadership to deal specifically with the lighting system at Rae access road? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke of the Highway No. 3 and the importance of public safety. Highway No. 3 is a major highway to Yellowknife from the South. Given the increase of traffic volume, especially with the winter road opening sometime this month, there is going to be a high increase in the traffic volume on heavy equipment, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation, will he make the commitment in the House today to have traffic signals installed at the intersection of Highway No. 3 and Behchoko access road? I would...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak up on an issue that has growing concern in my constituency. That is the traffic safety at the intersection of the Behchoko access road on Highway No. 3. Mr. Speaker, that stretch of highway is a very busy road used by commuters, truck drivers, tourists. In fact, it has the highest traffic volume on the territory's intercommunity highways, Mr. Speaker. Over the last decade, the traffic along this stretch has increased 30 percent. More people commute from my community, Behchoko, Mr. Speaker, also Yellowknife commuters...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up, if the Minister is not committing today, but I understand he wants to work with his department on this particular issue, will the Minister at least commit his staff to talking to my constituents and other constituents who make heavy use of road and report back to the House with a plan to deal with the safety concerns? It is becoming a big issue in the Monfwi riding, the Behchoko specifically and Edzo that there is a high traffic volume that is coming into play. It has been addressed as a huge safety issue in the community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to recognize the Tlicho Government in the building, Grand Chief Mr. Mackenzie.

---Applause

Former MLA for North Slave and now currently chief of Behchoko, Chief Lafferty.

---Applause

I can’t see from here, but other Tlicho community government leaders are here, as well. I would like to recognize them. I would like to recognize my constituent assistant, Pamela Richardson, as well. Mahsi.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell this Assembly what is being done to identify the specific needs of each community in terms of adult basic education, or does the Minister subscribe to the philosophy of one size fits all? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I speak about the importance of literacy. Literacy is helping people understand and use information. Somewhere, with functional literacy, people should be able to understand and reply to letters, complete forms, and apply for jobs and have the skills necessary to function effectively in a society.

During the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight’s pre-budget consultation, the NWT Literacy Council made an excellent presentation to the committee. Some of the statistics on literacy were shocking, Mr. Speaker. Thirty-three percent of NWT...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, research indicates that people with low literacy are twice as likely not to have jobs, or to access training and ABE programs. What is the Minister doing to ensure that literacy programs meet the needs of NWT residents, in order for them to improve their quality of life and take advantage of economic opportunities? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I spoke highly of the importance of literacy, so I have a question to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister please tell the House how much money is being spent annually on adult basic education programs, and also, specifically, the percentage to the smaller communities? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that many people in the Northwest Territories with low literacy skills are employed. We also know that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment cut the support of workplace literacy funding last year, Mr. Speaker. How is the government supporting workplace literacy? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.