Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Madam Chair. We talk about the overall ERI. It’s a huge undertaking. We’re hearing from Regular Members that this is a big initiative, and we also hear about the JK, obviously the decision from October 30, 2014, to put a stop to the second and third phase and to continue with rolling out to the small communities for last year and also next year. So, we continue to work with the school boards on that. We have 19 communities going forward and 18 the following year.

Keeping the kids in school, obviously it’s a priority. We’ve given out posters and pamphlets. Obviously, this is for outside...

We have three ADMs today. We have an associate deputy, so three deputies and an associate, but the associate term will be up in June. So instead of three, four, five, we’ll be back to four again, three associate deputy ministers and a deputy minister. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Madam Chair. To my left I have Gabriela Eggenhoefer, deputy minister of Education, Culture and Employment; to my immediate right is Olin Lovely, director of corporate services; and to my far right, associate deputy minister Dana Heide with Education, Culture and Employment. Mahsi.

I just want to reflect back on, obviously, the infrastructure. Obviously, we have not failed as a department. We spend millions on infrastructure such as Inuvik’s East Three School, the Tulita school, brand new schools. We shouldn’t be using those terms when we’ve done so much as a department. We will continue to push that forward. We’re at the end of our Assembly. Usually when the capital infrastructure such as a huge initiative that is coming forward, obviously, it is the beginning of a new term.

At the same time, if there is a request, I would consider looking at a guaranteed income support...

I am pleased to present the 2015-16 Main Estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. This budget strives to strike a balance between being mindful of the economic outlook of the NWT and making critical investments in key areas. These include early childhood development, education renewal, reducing the cost of living, improving support to those most vulnerable and bringing services closer to the people. Overall, the department’s estimates propose an increase of $4.2 million, or 1.4 percent, over the restated 2014-2015 Estimates. These estimates continue to support the...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. As you are probably aware, over the years we had a number of major infrastructures in the past. Now that we’re going through another process of infrastructure debates these coming few months, obviously those high priorities will be brought forward. At the end of the day, the decision will be made by the committee that’s been established to deal with the capital infrastructure. We as the department bring forward our priority that we feel should be addressed within the schools or at the community level. We’ll continue to push that forward as part of the process. Like I said, at...

When we talk about healthy foods, obviously we provide funding towards this initiative as well. Approximately $650,000 we distribute on an annual basis for healthy eating programming in the Northwest Territories. We give the funding directly to the schools, so it’s part of their initiative. There is already funding in place. My department will be working with the organization on how can we best move this forward as well. We have to keep in mind that we have to deal with all the schools across the Northwest Territories as well. Then again, there is funding in place already, and we will continue...

At this point they’re not filled yet. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This is one of the national awards that have been recognized throughout the Northwest Territories, and I’ve been trying to get some more information on that since the Member addressed that information to me. We are doing what we can as a department to recognize those talented individuals or organizations in the Northwest Territories. We’re working with those organizations to make some sort of recognition and even go further beyond that. Mahsi.

Mr. Chair, there are five positions, employment service officers, and one employment service officer for a PY in Behchoko is recorded as North Slave. There’s also an assistant deputy minister position that is added to the aid and review of supervision of corporate services. That’s Mr. Lovely here. Three French language translators are responsible for the implementation of the department’s French language operating plan. Mahsi.