Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question is maybe hinging on the Department of ENR, but ITI obviously has the lead on this. Could the Minister indicate perhaps a timeline in terms of how it is that the Forest Management Act would be updated, and whether that should be a precursor before the Aurora Pellets is established? Mahsi.

Could the Minister maybe explain in terms of the progress at this point, from the perspective of the department in terms of the advances towards finally establishing a business that could be in operation? What is the latest progress in terms of an update?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize staff in A New Day program, Laura Boileau and Mr. William Greenland, and also I believe Mr. Roy Erasmus is in there. Also the leadership of the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre as well, Ernie Abel. Then also acknowledging of course the people from the Northwest Territories Association of Communities who I believe also include Mayor Craig McMaster from Enterprise. So welcome. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just trying to understand the process. At which point would the community be approached in terms of considering whether it could be given to the community to perhaps take over responsibility in terms of maintaining the building? Is that perhaps the last step in the policy? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Department of Justice take immediate action to extend the service contract and funding for delivery of A New Day Men's Healing Program by one year, to December 31, 2017, thereby granting sufficient time for the completion of a program evaluation as well as any subsequent required program transitions;

And further, the Legislative Assembly...

I'd like to thank the Minister for his reply. Recently we passed a motion in this House basically positioning the department to contemplate the idea of an implementation plan to move forward on the JK initiative. How will the Aboriginal Head Start Program be part of the JK Implementation Plan?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the Deh Gah School in Fort Providence, two recent graduates share a special connection. They made their journey from kindergarten to grade 12, to graduation, together. In fact, they started preschool together in an Aboriginal Head Start program in Fort Providence. We've talked about Aboriginal Head Start or AHS here, in the House, many times before, but, to give a brief history, Aboriginal Head Start is a federally funded program with a mandate to serve preschool aged children, providing early intervention and early childhood education to foster spiritual...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just out of curiosity, like how is the building being maintained currently? I understand there has to be at the very minimum and lighting in terms of operating a building. Is that still continuing and for how long. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just trying to understand the government's policy in terms of surplus buildings, just in terms of appraising the situation in Fort Providence. We did have at one time an old health centre that, I understand, has been decommissioned. So the Department of Health and Social Services, of course, did upgrade the building, so, from what we understand, the latest was that there's supposed to be an assessment in terms of whether there are hazardous materials contained in the building and perhaps consider a remediation plan of some sort.

So I understand that the department does...

Mr. Speaker, my question is the Aboriginal Head Start Program surely has amassed a lot of experience and expertise in terms of running program directly benefitting children in small communities. What lessons can be learned from the Aboriginal Head Start Program as Education, Culture and Employment moves forward with the implementation of the junior kindergarten?