Kevin A. Menicoche

Mr. Speaker, mahsi. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, we have recently seen a huge increase in the price we pay for fuel. Indications are that prices will continue to rise in the future. This situation is causing difficulties for people in the North no matter where they live. However, Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned that the rise in fuel prices is causing additional hardships for certain residents of the Northwest Territories, but not for all. I am referring to those people who live in smaller communities where electrical power is supplied by diesel fuel generators. These people will...

I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps the Minister could clarify for me again that the government does provide bursaries and scholarships to encourage more aboriginal language professionals with teaching skills and just to develop the capacities that I know are lacking in the regions and the communities. If the Minister can provide that answer for me. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, mahsi cho. My questions are directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Given that the government's strategic plan calls for implementation of school programs that support indigenous language and culture, does the government's strategic plan include measures for the training and professional development of qualified aboriginal language instructors to teach these school programs?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one further point on that is I was saying language and culture are very important to our government. Is the department looking at providing incentives and bursaries or a new initiative to reach out to our teachers to say, look, this is important to us, here are additional bursaries and scholarships that are available to you, rather that to just access the current pool but to create a larger pool of aboriginal language instructors for the North and our students? Mahsi cho.

Mr. Speaker, does the government and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment have plans to provide bursaries and scholarships to encourage teachers to develop aboriginal language teaching skills at the college level?

Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak this morning on an issue of aboriginal language and culture. I see that the government’s newly released strategic plan calls for NWT indigenous cultures and languages that are a source of strength for present and future generations. Certainly this is a laudable goal that we hope will be achieved. The plans state further that this goal will be accomplished by implementing school programs to support culture, language and partnership with families and communities. I am concerned, Mr. Speaker, what the strategic plan means in terms of concrete action by the government...

Bill 6.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. My final question is certainly the government is aware of the problem that exists in my riding, and probably other communities as well. I'm just wondering if they have in place any plan to raise public awareness of the problem and to educate people about the dangers and perhaps ways to avoid mould problems within their homes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister responsible for housing have any specific contingency plans in place to get rid of the problem as it exists now and as it occurs? Thank you.