Kevin O'Reilly

I want to thank the Minister. I know he's a fabulous facilitator, and I look forward to him working even harder on this issue. I mentioned dissatisfaction that has been expressed by teachers, the poor response times for Internet and technology issues that GNWT's supposed to help with. Will the Minister take this up with his colleague the Minister of Infrastructure and make sure that service calls affecting our educational needs receive the necessary attention?

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is helpful to understand. I see back in 2019-2020 it was a little bit higher, by half a million dollars, but then it's just a constant amount. Do we sign, I don't know, two- or three- or five-year contracts or something? I just would have expected that this would fluctuate a bit more than the numbers here seem to show. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to talk about adequate and affordable access to Internet services and the barriers facing students and families, especially our post-secondary distance learners.

First, on the elementary and secondary school side, in a recent Yellowknife school board meeting, it was revealed that the Internet connectivity volume shared by the three boards and Aurora College is grossly inadequate, especially given distance learning requirements imposed by the COVID pandemic. Astonishing as it sounds, YCS, YK1, Aurora College, and CSFTNO share an Internet connection of 300...

Okay. Thanks, Mr. Chair. Maybe it's been a long week. How does the money then flow from the department of health through the NTHSSA to provide out-of-territory services? Maybe I am just a little bit thick today. I'm trying to understand how that money flows or does not flow. Thanks.

Thanks. Nothing further.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I know that there is a pilot program in progress. Can we just get a bit of an update of where that program is at? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I wish to table the following document. It's a letter from the Giant Mine Oversight Board dated February 23, 2021, to the Minister of Lands,with regard to Giant Mine land use planning. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that the chair rise and report progress.

I want to thank the Minister for that. I think I heard an explanation of the problem, but I didn't actually hear any solutions. As bad as the situation is here in Yellowknife, I'm sure it's much worse in the regions and communities, which creates a digital divide. Can the Minister explain what her department is doing to ensure accessible and affordable Internet access for all of our students?

Thanks. I think I understood parts of that. The survey work that is being done now, how is that going to feed into what this is going to look like in the future, this part of the budget? Thanks, Mr. Chair.