Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm wondering if the review is going to include the community portion of BIP? Right now there's certainly an advantage for NWT BIP companies over southern companies; I should say, it sort of evens the playing field between North and South, but I'm wondering if the Minister is also looking at the difference between North and local? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, a quick check, I guess: under this economic diversification and business support is there an opportunity to speak on the Business Incentive Policy?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, during my travels into my riding, there have been many occasions when individuals have asked for support to get into some sort of economic development. I have the program SEED, Support Entrepreneurial and Economic Development. The budget hasn't grown, in fact, compared the last fiscal year that that has been closed off. It's gone down a bit. Not a whole lot, but 70-some-thousand dollars. I'm wondering if this program is fully subscribed or if there's money left after the SEED Program is delivered? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just have a couple of questions for the Minister. I attended something with the Minister or the Minister was making a speech about Community Futures. There was an indication there that Community Futures was a program that had tremendous leveraging abilities. I'm wondering why the budget has dropped? As slight as it is, if it has great leveraging possibilities, why is this budget going down slightly? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Marci cho, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 26118(2), Northwest Territories Main Estimates, 20172018, hopefully completing the Department of Health and Social Services and also considering Industry, Tourism and Investment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

What was the conclusion of the most recent evaluation on the Teacher Education Program, and what improvements were suggested, if any?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Education on the Teacher Education Program. Mr. Speaker, if we eliminate the Teacher Education Program, I predict that fewer Northern students will study to become teachers. The department must have looked into that before proposing the cut. What is the department's forecast in future years for the number of Indigenous students studying to become teachers? Thank you.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [English translation not provided].

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we debate the cutbacks proposed for Aurora College, we must ask ourselves as an Assembly: what kind of territory do we want to be?

When the devolution agreement came into force in 2014 we promised our people we would build a territory and shape our future ourselves. Today, three years later, we are talking about shutting down two flagship programs at Aurora College: the teacher education and the social work programs.

If we cut the Teacher Education Program we turn back time nearly 50...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm not asking if there's a difference; I know there's that threshold. I'm asking if that threshold is being reviewed also. The Minister answered the question previously saying, "We're always reviewing BIP, it sort of gives a leg up to the northern companies versus southern companies." My question was specific to northern versus local. Is that part also being looked at? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, I'd like to ask the Minister if the department is still contemplating possible review or maybe revamping of the Business Incentive Policy, first question. Second question is: is the Business Incentive Policy meeting its intended objective?