Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is the exact area that I would like to explore further. We have to commit at least some planning dollars to look at these two schools in these two communities so that we can make a good case at the capital planning fall time budget session. I would like to ask the Minister if he can at least do that and have a good assessment of those schools in the capital planning process this fall. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I have been making the case for many years now that the needs are critical. I don’t know what the standards are according to ECE standards for school buildings, because we have an old log building in Nahanni Butte. Technically we don’t have a school in Trout Lake. The old Charles Tetcho School had burned down. They had moved the school into the recreation centre. At that time the government promised that they will be there until the new school is built, so they still don’t have a school. I would like to ask the Minister what exact guidelines and standards do we have for our school...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Teachers and schools was an important focus today with the Education Hall of Fame ceremonies. I want to continue that theme today by raising, once again, the need for new schools in Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte. I hope that they can begin their school year with some news of progress towards the creation of new schools in those communities.

I know you remember that the Nahanni Butte school is an old log building and the people of Trout Lake technically don’t have a school. They are still using the recreation centre there. This has been going on for years now and it’s very...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to continue deliberations of the Northwest Territories Main Estimates 2012-2013 with continuation of Public Works and Services and then moving into Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, certainly the communities and I look forward to the Minister visiting the communities and show him exactly their needs.

Since February, after speaking with the Minister, I would like to know what the Minister has done to date to review the long-term capital plan and look at moving up these capital needs for these two communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to talk about the long-term care room and board rate increases that occurred April 1, 2012. I am very concerned about… [English translation not provided.]…that is pretty much all of their elders’ income support… [English translation not provided.] I truly believe that it is in the treaties that our health care is provided for, so I don’t know how our government is charging our Aboriginal elders rent increases for hospitals, even for people that aren’t elders that want to go to the hospital. Their health needs are taken care of by Health Canada, so when...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Just for confirmation then, the Minister is saying that the regional operations have not decreased by three positions.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I note on this page the reduction of three positions in the regions. Can the Minister explain that? Also, yes, if he can explain those.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. What is that new job in headquarters? Thank you.