Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Just a follow-up on the theme of early childhood education. Today I’ve got several questions. I’m just wondering how Education, Culture and Employment would encourage and help communities to start early childhood programs like the Open Door in Fort Simpson, and if they answer yes, then how is that being done. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I, too, will be voting in favour of the motion. I think it’s the timeliness of this issue and to highlight it in this House and to get all Members of the Legislative Assembly to move forward with this issue. It’s been on the backburner for many, many years. Just how it impacts the smaller communities is my concern. It does have to be resourced and the resources are there currently, but it’s few and far between. That’s why I’ll be supporting this motion.

I know that it’s in everybody’s best interest to have a good-news story as we work towards the completion of the Trout Lake Airport. Regretfully, it was delayed almost by a year. Everybody wants to see it done, and done properly.

My concern again is, like many of our other regions, we’re kind of like a have-not and it hurts the community and it hurts the region when our government is offering contracting opportunities to other regions before they even work with the contractors in the Nahendeh riding. That’s my initial concern and I just want to advise the Minister that the community wants to be...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I won’t go on too long. I look forward to deliberation as we go through line by line. I press the case for most particularly Highway No. 7. I’ve been leading that charge for some time now. I look forward to, I’m going to have to agree with government, I guess, and look forward to the fall deliberations to get some capital funding and hope that we do get our fair share to address highway concerns on Highway No. 7.

Just with that, it’s just around the corner and I’m pleased that the Minister of Transportation will be travelling with me down Highway No. 7 this...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know that our Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative also addresses attendance. First of all, I had asked for the breakdown if it was attendance or else reduction in enrolment. Was the department able to clearly answer that question? Because the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative was supposed to address attendance and getting our students back into the schools. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. With regard to the Dehcho Divisional Education Council, there’s a reduction of four positions, as indicated in the details here. I’d just like an explanation from the Minister, please.

The community library in Fort Simpson was severely reduced two years ago and is now just a resource centre. The community of Fort Simpson residents were looking for assistance to upgrade, in fact, from a resource centre to a library where there are actual books. Right now there’s just a series of four computers and older books from a library. Even though it works well for residents who are used to the system, the library, the previous library was still a central point for the community and for hosting author events, et cetera. It’s central to any community. The large communities, of course...

I certainly look forward to that document. Final question here is, as the Minister may have already answered it, the Early Child Development Framework for Action has not been revised since 2001, as was mentioned earlier in the Members’ statements earlier this afternoon. That work is certainly behind schedule. When will that work be completed and when will the recommended actions be funded?

Sounds like there is funding available, probably a couple of different types of programming areas. There are a couple of things, I guess. How are they available to communities and is the current funding already subscribed to, which means I guess basically is all being taken up? Is there opportunity for other communities to get involved? Should they be planning it now or in the future?

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to resume consideration of Tabled Document 3-17(3), Northwest Territories Main Estimates 2012-2013, with Education, Culture and Employment, Transportation, and possibly Environment and Natural Resources.