Julie Green

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The intent of this amendment is to make more specific the goal of this section, and the goal is participation -- not just that women are needed in politics, but that we're actually sitting here and that when one of us is away, the population doesn't drop by 50 per cent.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As Mr. Nadli has correctly pointed out, family violence is at the second highest level in the NWT of the entire country, and unfortunately much of our funding efforts are aimed at helping the victims of violence after the violence has happened. This program is unique in trying to provide a systemic solution to family violence by treating the people who are expressing their anger with violence. I support it because it would make a long-term difference not only to the people who are experiencing violence now, but also to their families to spare their children from...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to give you some background on this motion. Starting in 2009, a group of non-profit organizations from around the Northwest Territories came together to lobby the government to create an Anti-Poverty Action Plan, and during the 17th Assembly that strategic framework was completed. Following on with that, then two action plans were developed, one by the GNWT reflecting the commitments of various departments that serve people in poverty, and another by a multi-stakeholder group of which I was part that then came up with the Territorial Anti-Poverty Action Plan...

No, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, be amended on page 23 by inserting the words “We will improve affordability of daycare, ensuring sustainability for operators of early childhood programs and expanding access to early childhood programs across the territory.” Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Finding and paying for quality childcare is a significant problem for many families in the NWT. Childcare is available to only 39 per cent of children ages zero to for in the NWT, and 12 communities don't have licensed childcare centres now, including centres with substantial populations, such as Fort Liard, Lutselk'e, Norman Wells, and Tsiigehtchic. As a reference point, one in four NWT families has a child under five. There is no question that need outstrips availability. This information comes from a feasibility study completed by academics on universal childcare...

I'd like to thank the Minister for making that commitment. I ask only when he thinks he will be able to deliver this information to us.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's 2016. Thank you.

Thanks to the Minister for that answer. However, the provision of childcare is a key component of the education of young people prior to them going into junior kindergarten or kindergarten. The people who work in this sector are generally quite low paid and daycares struggle with keeping qualified staff. I'm wondering if the Minister can make a commitment to looking at providing the wage subsidy directly to the employers rather than to the individuals.

I look forward to your support. Thank you.